Why do extremely intelligent people spend their entire lives remaining at the bottom of society?

This question was already answered over two thousand years ago by Li Si,

The mice in the granary are foolish and helpless,
Eating to their fill every day,
Disturbed only once or twice a year when they come to raid the granary;

The mice in the toilet may be clever and strong,
But they can only eat shit every day,
And must be chased away day after day.