This is a good point, but it serves to point out what others are not bringing up. The truth is, managers know programmers aren't cogs and can never be. How could they not? The issue is that
their managers believe or really
want to believe that programmers are cogs, so the lower manager can cut all experienced programmers and replace them with the cheapest labor they can find. What shows up in the short term is a cost savings, and therefor probably a promotion. Yes, since these new programmers don't know the system it's destined for failure, but who cares? By the time that happens the PHB will be in a new position and no longer responsible for this mess they made.
The true plague or our industry and everyone else's is short term thinking, and I don't see how it could be fixed at this point.