With DOGE the US seems to moving backwards, cutting down on gov busywork for what self-defeating purpose? They just end up flooding the market, or worse, sabotaging productive teams with their meetings and ceremonies.
Many actual software jobs are, too.
How many people are working/have worked (especially during the covid-boom years) on projects with no path to profitability, minimal practical utility etc.
How many "promo" projects were launched during those years?
My perspective is there's a lot of (unintentional, perhaps) "patronage" that's gone on for some time now, and what we're seeing throughout the industry is a reaction to that.