[darylteo]

> When I make a change to some code or config, I'll run it locally to make sure that the change has the effect that I want.

It's not uncommon for devs to be working against outdated databases / config dumps. Certainly bad practice but when devs have the option of being lazy vs doing chores, they will pick the path of less resistance.

> But what I can't understand is that the human who initiated this change decided not to see if it actually did what they wanted it to do.

We're assuming that the person who changed the code also made the choice to initiate the rollout. They are 2 separate actions which can be made by separate individuals and could also involve many multiple steps in between, each undertaken by a separate individual as well.

Distance from Prod does introduce a sense of malaise and complacency, I've found.