I think it's more a case of disingenuous people with an axe to grind being given bullshit PhDs in complaining, which then gives them the illusion of authority. This way, their complaints get elevated from just some annoying dickhead complaining that they didn't get a big enough share of the candy to that of "a distinguished Doctor shining a light on the injustices of society". Enough of these people complain the same way, then it leaks into the corporate media, which is just interested in selling ads next to the popular meme of the day rather than looking into things, and then the people swallowing their shit decide that it's time to march because talking about Adele's weight loss was so last week.