Unfortunately this starts very early in the school yard where it's cool to be dumb or more accurately, being seen as smart is the kiss of death to many young people.
This learned behaviour or trait becomes part of the adults makeup. They continually tell themselves and anyone who will listen how inept they are.
I know many adults who have no clue about computers or smart phones. Or at least they say they don't? And yet some work a terminal in their jobs?
It is a self esteem issue. A fear of failure, so they don't even try and so never fail.
If they only knew that failure is how we learn. Things might be different.
Good post @denmarkguy 100% upvoted
I went through most of my school daze with that mindset around me... perhaps I escaped some of the peer pressure because I was pretty much always "that weird kid in the corner."
If you present yourself as inept and ignorant, less will be expected of you, less will be asked of you... and so you can stay OFF the path of having accountability.
I understand the pressure. It's a shame that this has to be the way for so many people.