Avira, the Tiflus itself is likely dependent on not being fully into the academics. It is obvious that someone who is only partly interested in half-understood reasoning and far-fetched cases of illustration will misuse the little that they do get a hold of. What might be more common today, is women who are fully engrossed in academics.
According to Rebbe Yehosha, I guess there is no way out. But the Rambam implies that it is about the mind, in which case it makes sense to assume it is not necessarily about brain capability but more about how intellectual pursuits are handled.
I believe you are spot on about the movement and its effect, as well as the Gaava (on others as well as on Chachamim) and the shallow/Academic level. I’m on board with it being a problem to introduce and promote it. My main point is about those Yechidos who, on their own, gravitate toward opening Sefarim and learning בהצנע לכת and אמונת חכמים.