Thoreau is a practical philosopher - he presents philosophical concepts as alternative ways of living that people can, and should, according to him, follow. His philosophy isn't one of abstract ideas one just ponders. The strength of his ideas to change society can be seen historically manifested in the non-violent civil disobedience employed by Ghandi and Martin Luther King.
On a practical level, few people in society can build a small shack in the woods and live "off the grid." Society needs many types of people - doctors, scientists, workers, legislators, the list is long - to function smoothly. His call for simplicity, is, however, taking root and becoming more popular.
Thoreau can't be called a 'snob', he was certainly not elitist - rather, he was purposefully separate from society. His disdain came from his observation of people in general not thinking for themselves. His democratic populism demands a society that will rise to higher ideals and standards, as opposed to individuals in society willingly conforming to lower, accepted ones.
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