It was a hyperbolic statement related to the fact that if you want developers to take full responsibility, like surgeons, then you need trust their authority.
I haven’t heard of a surgeon who said “this operation will take as much time as needed”, and the hospital manager pressured him to “finish it in 8 hours, and not use too many syringes”.
You're replying to the author but I agree. Too much unfounded speculation. I'm glad the author is being called out for lack of research in a sibling comment.
I haven’t heard of a surgeon who said “this operation will take as much time as needed”, and the hospital manager pressured him to “finish it in 8 hours, and not use too many syringes”.