Why do we have to be better?

Or superior, if that’s a more descriptive word.
This was partly inspired by this question, although not the question and answers themselves so much as the clarifications of the question and answers.

I was struck by how many of the responses were, ‘well we’re no better than animals, so no we’re not different.’ And how many more than that were ‘well, yes, we’re animals, but better because we’re _____’ (be it ability to create a sophisticated language, or science, technology, art, math, rockets to the moon, global destruction, etc). Well, why in terms of better or not better? Why is being an animal lowering ourselves?

And it’s not just in comparing us to other animals. It’s everything. There’s always better, there’s always worse, and that’s just the way it is.

We’re always telling ourselves that at least we’re better than that person or creature or business over there for whatever reason. And if we’re not, it’s usually because we’re feeling worthless, ourselves.—But see, even they’re we’re comparing, still.

Dictatorships feed off of that. “Look at those people over there who we’re so much better than!” (Let’s kill or enslave them!)

Why are we always comparing ourselves to other beings/things? Especially to find a way that we’re superior?
I mean, I’m often guilty of this too. But yet I’ll still do it, and know that I’m still doing it. Why?
Why do we do it?