The "just-say-no" engineer who blocks all features and decisions was a product of the zero-interest-rate policy (ZIRP) era, when cheap capital allowed companies to tolerate unproductive employees. In today's higher-rate environment, that attitude is no longer viable.
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.