Thomas Sowell is one of my favorite economists that I don't agree with, particularly on foreign policy. He understands that would rather feel good than do good...
No, I consider myself average but I'm willing to think about tough issues; One of my favorite Sowell quotes,"It doesn't matter how smart you are if you aren't willing to think." It's interesting he (Sowell) criticizes other intellectuals for making the same leaps he makes in social and foreign policy.
My ex-wife is the daughter of an ACLU attorney and a poli sci professor that ran a progressive think tank; She considered dinner parties a chore but I loved them..I got to engage with mathematicians and economists intellectually...playing the foil gives me great satisfaction and not only was it fun for me but they enjoyed it as well because most of their students were just going through the motions; Having a young person that cared about the issues and informed enough to argue intelligently made for a great time.
I posted a vid of a Chicago law faculty member, Richard Epstein, commenting on Obama; According to him Barrack was never interested in engaging intellectually. I don't know if he ever wanted a full professorship but he certainly has the pedigree.