I think Zappos still have managers, but they gave them a different name so they could release an article and get some nice PR in the current anti-manager climat

I think Zappos still have managers, but they gave them a different name so they could release an article and get some nice PR in the current anti-manager climate. I think managers are being scapegoated as you say. I'd dare any company to get rid of their management and see what really happens, not just pretend to like Zappos. Hopefully this is a fashion that will blow over like all the rest so people can get back to trying to work together to create something useful, rather than trying to blame others.