I can't judge, as I have neither any insight into the development structure (how many non-Googler so relevant work) nor complexity (how many understand the deep

I can't judge, as I have neither any insight into the development structure (how many non-Googler so relevant work) nor complexity (how many understand the deepest details of the compiler etc.) but I have seen different Open Sources Projects die a slow death after the primary developer went way. Everybody depended on the "free" labour being done and once gone one couldn't find agreement on how to go on. But yes, Go's spread is big enough that it won't immediately die and Google would probably be responsible enough to transfer to Linux foundation or ASF or somebody who can help to organize a new structure. Anyways, key point was that Google reputation was different, when Go took up. I can imagine if it would launch now it would find different reaction, which could prevent a community forming, thus less of safety.