The "just-say-no" engineer who blocked feature development by citing risks was a product of the zero-interest-rate policy (ZIRP) era. With cheap capital, companies tolerated slow, cautious developers. As interest rates rose, firms prioritized speed, making this archetype unviable.
John Gruber argues that established companies like Uber and Lyft will not simply cede control to AI agents, noting that entrenched stakeholders have their own interests and can slow or resist technological disruption, much like Walmart's refusal to accept Apple Pay.
The "just-say-no engineer" who blocks changes to maintain quality was a product of the ZIRP era, when tech companies had bloated teams and little pressure to deliver. With ZIRP over, companies now prioritize shipping features, making this role less valued. The article argues this shift is often blamed on AI but would have happened regardless.