Comment # 14 on bug 933809 from macias -

> > I am not sure I understand -- you mean you now rely on entire
> > system to have the newest software in order to some package to
> > work?
>
> Now? It was ever supported? 

Of course. I am surprised you are surprised :-), and that this is "a problem".
I see package ABC 2.1 requiring package DEF 4.0.8 (or later) all the time. I
don't track history of rpm, but it is supported for as long as I remember as
well.

Approach "to make ABC 2.1 work please update _all_ installed software" I see
for the very first time.