How do people still have their wits about them? What am I missing

So many seem to have a good level of emotional awareness and understanding of how AI affects daily life, but how? It seems that the world around us is doing so poorly. If you listen to the most popular podcasts, many have a lack of understanding that borders on the level of a president. I have a few episodes lined up from extremely intelligent people who seem to have their heads in the sand when it comes to how digital media can be so easily manipulated. Of course, a few big events have provided a little glimpse, but I am pretty sure that very few people truly understand how we see all types of AI fakes and what they can do. If I assumed that was common knowledge, I am wrong. I want to believe things arent as bad as they may be. But I am starting to think that they actually are. If I am one of the only ones who has been paying attention and I look at how things are seen daily, I am in a state of panic. If I am wrong, please let me know.