My observation is that 1. & 3. in your list are very closely related. > 3. As engineers become expensive, people who have little interest in the subject become

My observation is that 1. & 3. in your list are very closely related. > 3. As engineers become expensive, people who have little interest in the subject become sufficiently motivated to hit the minimum bar, bringing down the average talent/quality of the pool Which is how you get 1. > 1. "Discipline" is generally shied away from.