Well I did work at NASA, although I left for the private sector to finish my career, and this does not describe 99% of the people I met. In the circles I ran in there was a great deal of humility and respect for process as something which saves lives. Maybe it depends on the center? Which part of NASA did your friends work at?

I'm at GSFC, and arrogance is definitely not a character trait of those on my team. Earth science may select for a different type of persona.

For the sake of completeness:

I don't work at NASA, and I know a few arrogant people who also don't work at NASA.

Now the question is, is he wrong? Or are you proving his point? If he is indeed correct your post could still be true seen with your eyes.

If my personal experience is helpful to those trying to answer those questions then great, but I don't know the answer to them.

While we’re dunking on nasa , I gave my resume to a recruiter for the nasa jet propulsion lab at a career fair and he said they’d call me and they never called me. Bunch of liars!

For perspective, 17,000 people work for NASA.