Well, sure, but I'm not trying to use the Russian word here

What you called "geeks" are really the Russian/Eastern European concept of "intelligentsia"

???

of course they have a high opinion of themselves

It's not just that. There is:

(a) aristocracy (ordering from better to worse, moreover by birth)

(b) invisible (independent of actual rank in society)

There is also an element of "noblesse oblige" and "betterment of all mankind at the expense of self" in how the intelligentsia is to conduct itself. Self interest considered "vulgar," etc.

None of this has anything to do with the OP's posts on building a better asshole.