Agreed, it's not too dissimilar to the old mantra often totted out on HN that a person should be judged on how he treats those below him, rather than his equals

Agreed, it's not too dissimilar to the old mantra often totted out on HN that a person should be judged on how he treats those below him, rather than his equals - just on a larger scale. (Forgive me for not remembering / looking up a better worded quote.)