I feel anyone who's attended their share of doors-open bitcoin/crypto-asset events will be familiar with that line of inquiry. After all, you've got some people in suits overplaying their importance/understanding, some people in rags who are the most interesting and/or wealthy in the room, and a couple who are genuinely crazy or otherwise unstable. But don't assume the latter, because maybe you're misreading the anti-social genius-type.
Basically: That's just how you get to the point with people in this space. There are a lot of bullshitters and the room is busy.
Disclaimer: I am acquainted with some of the Ethereum team from the Bitcoin Toronto meetups, and trust they are dedicated, passionate and intelligent people in their respective domains. So I have to assume you're projecting something silly onto them.
Was it in Toronto then?