It's certainly a familiar pattern. It always reminded me of the standard trick of new rulers granting favors to gain popular support. Caligula is especially fa

It's certainly a familiar pattern. It always reminded me of the standard trick of new rulers granting favors to gain popular support. Caligula is especially famous for burning the treason records of his predecessor and giving out bonuses and calling back exiles. Caesar did similar things. When a company is new they have to gain support. They talk about changing the world and often focus on things like employee happiness. But ultimately it all comes down to the shareholders, and expenses have to be tightened once it no longer makes sense to pay a premium for good will. Maybe something corrupts the founders. But it's also possible the founders planned it all along. Certainly it seems like my the earliest investors are aware of this game.