I have vivid memories of what 2003 was like for me, a computer science grad who entered the workforce just as management's solution to control a new, major cost

I have vivid memories of what 2003 was like for me, a computer science grad who entered the workforce just as management's solution to control a new, major cost center (IT) was taking hold. Many of the DevOps functions that you celebrate today were considered commoditized and consequently eligible for offshore tech consultancy. I watched middle-aged, highly skilled professionals train their low-cost, unskilled replacements after being explicitly told by HR/management that their severance packages required their complete cooperation during their "employment transition". This was at Merrill Lynch during its heyday.