Amazing that something like this is possible.

When I was a SWE at Google, I thought about switching to the PM role. A PM told me that PMs are the secret emperors of Google. Sounded good then but now I think I finally got it: they are the only ones acting in a meaningful way.

As there is no overarching strategy to be followed, it seems like they can launch whatever they want if it "sgtm" to someone above. Launch done, promotion package complete for quite a few people, everyone happy.