I am getting a feeling that some people do not have enough perspective about life. For them I suggest a movie - Goodwill Hunting. This is a great movie that gives you an idea of what perspective is all about.

On a related note, some are so bad - that they just want to put you in a spot deliberately. They do not get it because they do not have the knowledge - they have probably worked in the same field for thousands of years and they know they are coasting. These are the guys who fear the unknown and try to prevent others from reaching their potential by putting in ridiculous curbs whenver possible.