[legendofbrando]

Most people who dislike political people are failing to place the blame on the right actor. Sounds like this engineer has recognized how to get rewarded at their job and has adjusted their behavior to fit. The actual root problem is that this reward system fails to recognize the quiet everyday progress required to make something great.

[tomrod]

In other words, in areas of limited resources where politics are innate, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.