I'd add that not only are we comparing ourselves to actual people that are the "best and brightest", but also to a mental conglomeration of success stories that somehow feel like they are all done by a single super human even though rationally you know you are thinking of the small individual achievements of thousands or millions of other people.

In the face of that kind of comparison, it's hard not to a bit down occasionally, even though you know the reality does not match the perception.