But these people don't want to. They're tired, frustrated, and likely their school failed them such that reading is just another reminder that they don't know so many things.

It's easier to denigrate those who have read and learned than to confront the mountain that is their own ignorance. "I could climb that mountain, if I wanted." they might say, "But why would I do something so stupid when I'm doing such important stuff right now?? The people wasting their time climbing it must have something wrong with them."