Why do many macroenomic indicators economic sentiment surveys contradict each other?

Are the economists cherry picking indicators that smooth on the averages to hide fundemantal flaws in the system?

Not an American but, many other posts were saying real wages are at the highest in America right now yet people feeling the opposite.

https://fortune.com/2026/05/10/consumer-sentiment-may-2026-wages-inflation-heather-long/

I have also read somewhere that (might be a specualtion) academy has been favouring neoliberalist school for a long while and avoiding the social issues it has been creating. Honestly, reading the approved replies in this sub makes me think it might be athing as people here seems to defend neoliberalism mostly and try to refute claims against it religiously.

Could it be a result of this neoliberal favouritism in academy or is there a problem with the economic indicators losing touch with reality?