> apparently some of the smartest people in the world have lost the skill?

> But the commenter haven't

> why?

Perhaps because a correlation you assumed was there (more smartness = more ability to sit still alone with one's thoughts), is not actually as strong as you thought? If one does not start with that assumption, there is no inherent conflict in the 3 pieces of evidence you cited.

Or perhaps because you are smarter than you give yourself credit for :)