you're both wrong. the most productive thing would be to grow up and help bring the better out in each other. create an environment thats about the skill. set aside ego and focus on building something wonderful. but doesn't seem that's gonna happen soon. (i dont really like bigtech, but the "blameless" culture seems like it could be very productive and save many a dramatic exits)
I wouldn't be so fast to dismiss the previous answers, although I think they're a bit snarky. There is indeed a larger number of developers that is necessary on lots of projects from influential companies lately, and this heavily affects the architecture and the outcome of those projects.
The goal isn't to "build X" anymore, it's to "build X but with N engineers", with N being multiple times the minimum amount needed. This affects how tools are built. They're built "to scale", and this trickles down to smaller companies too. This also affects how software ends up looking, meaning custom GUIs and widgets all the way, even when it's not necessary.
After working in a couple Unicorns where the investors asked for larger headcount, and a short stint in a FAANG, that's my experience.
Maybe there are a ton of unqualified developers in SV playing Wordle instead of coding? I have no idea. The vast majority of software projects aren't managed by FAANG or Unicorn companies. The financial landscape in those companies is completely detached from reality and not a good basis for comparison.
> Maybe there are a ton of unqualified developers in SV playing Wordle instead of coding?
Maybe there are, I also have no idea. But in my experience most engineers are qualified and hard workers, even when there is team bloat. Companies are hiring well. It's just that they're hiring too much.
> The vast majority of software projects aren't managed by FAANG or Unicorn companies. The financial landscape in those companies is completely detached from reality and not a good basis for comparison.
But this happens on several industries, not only FAANG. Most companies that get off the ground with a skeleton crew will start hiring more as soon as they get more cash, doesn't have to be from investors. That's because they want more things faster. The reality is grimmer, though: 9 women can't make a baby in 1 month. And 9 women can't also make an adult-sized baby in 9 months.
