[Brian_K_White]

I think it was intended to reflect a name and image that each would call the other.

I am absolutely a cowboy and I understand that this is a pejorative when spoken by a drone or a manager who only wants drones, yet this article does not attack me.

This article does not pick a side and is not disparaging anyone. Simply this dynamic of opposites does exist, and using some more clinical terms would be less honest and less accurate by hiding or downplaying the emotional element which is a real part of the thing they wish to express.

The drones don't see me as "a bit more individualistic and self propelled" they see me as "cowboy".

I think the very point was to show that the negative thing, whichever one you consider negative, is actually unavoidable and you are also exactly the same negative, so maybe not so negative. So it wouldn't be useful to avoid the very thing you aim to discuss.