CEOs are a cargo cult. The big ones started the back to the office frency to facilitate their layoffs and lower wages and the smaller ones follow because that's what they do.

On top of that, petty middle managers drink the cool aid because that's what they do. On top of that, a fully staffed office gives them that sweet, sweet feeling of hierarchy and importance.

In the meantime, the big shots will continue to offshore to Asia, Africa and South America. Startups can't do that because "remote bad". Cui Bono?