Comparisons and advocacy

To answer the second question first, we have an unbridled need, as humans, to demand and seek recognition. In some people this is an over riding concern in their life, they must have it. For others, well, I am of the Mandela school of thought here, I do think "It is amazing what can be achieved when we don't worry about who gets the credit for it." Or Ghandi's "There are two groups of people, one who will actually do the work, and one who will seek credit for it, be in the first group, there is far less competition."  But a pat on the head occasionally is always very nice...