I don't think guys are stupid. But I do think a lot of guys are ignorant and/or stubborn and hanging onto old beliefs.
There was once a time when I, too, believed a short stroke equates to a revver. I was ignorant. I saw a lot of not exotic builds proving the contrary and realized I was ignorant.
There are those that, despite data to the contrary, will continue to repeat bad information. This is keeping other people ignorant. I think it's a good thing that we call this out. Because people will plan out and build engines based on bad information otherwise.