Yes, AFAIK the piles didn't go all the way down to solid bedrock and San Francisco is basically built on a garbage dump covered over from previous devastating e

Yes, AFAIK the piles didn't go all the way down to solid bedrock and San Francisco is basically built on a garbage dump covered over from previous devastating earth quakes, basically. They were improperly installed and if they had been the building would likely be fine. So, you're both right.