I've heard some prominent academics speak to the same end, or farther, in the rare access I've had. (Yet with displaying no less passion for their chosen subjects. Who would have guessed!)

Freeman Dyson is actually quite vocal about his opposition to the current structure of academia, so I'm not surprised that you'd be able to find other academics who were equally self-critical.

I probably shouldn't be so surprised— but the number of esteemed academics I've had the chance to encounter I can count on one hand. Though many seem to share that same opinion.

The number of pretentious title-holders (even at the lowest minimum levels) I've met seems unending. I could get into that one... but I won't.

Instead you've just reminded me of yet more subjects to stack on my reading list.