I think a generation of students heard "don't cite Wikipedia as a source" and internalized "Wikipedia is unreliable" rather than "encyclopedias are secondary sources, go cite the actual primary source".

Supercalifragilisticblueskyisatrocious

People have embraced authoritarianism in large part because they've been sold individualistic explanations for social problems. If you think people are poor or unhoused because they've made "bad choices," then you'll see appeal in authoritarian leaders who promise to punish those who are "bad."