alt Hacker Newsi can believe this. many "experts" are consistent bullshitters, and it helps them to look more like experts.
this is not always intentional either, and there is a lot of social pressure to do it.
have you ever read a popular article about something you have expert knowledge in? the general standard for accuracy and quality in public discourse is mindblowingly low.
Bullshitting? yes, absolutely.
But you can't make up scripture without being immediately spotted. Their comments would be flooded with people calling them out.
It's like trying to talk about star trek episodes that don't exist with star trek nerds. There would be a few seconds of confusion before the righteous indignation.