[testtesttesst]

That's capitalism. After you get fired, if you can still produce useful labor there will ideally be more employers waiting; you can freelance if your visa situation allows it; or you can start your own business and outcompete.

The cause of the inefficiency and "great filter" you're describing is the labor protectionism currently in the U.S.

Theoretically a good programmer has arbitrage via their skills and expertise. If you can get things done people will pay you for it, assuming you're allowed to work (in the U.S., EU, etc.).

[sidlls]

Theoretically rarely beats ignorance in practice though. Software engineers in aggregate think and act like they’re working in a meritocracy (we aren’t) and this gives even more leverage to management and owners. It’s one of the big reasons engineer salaries right now aren’t as high as they otherwise would be.

[tester457]

> Software engineers in aggregate think and act like they’re working in a meritocracy (we aren’t)

What is it really? Just an industry plagued by nepotism?