Hacker News Discussion: Are Corporate Software Engineering Roles Performative?

A software engineer shared observations from experience at multiple large tech companies, including FAANG firms, suggesting that much of the work environment centers on performative actions designed to impress management rather than drive meaningful progress. The poster noted that while a small number of high-performing engineers advance team goals, much of the broader team engages in work perceived as low-value, and that management time is often consumed by one-on-one meetings with limited tangible benefit. The post generated discussion on Hacker News, a platform where technology professionals frequently debate workplace dynamics and industry practices. This reflects ongoing conversations within the tech industry about organizational efficiency, the role of management, and whether corporate structures at scale create misaligned incentives between visible activity and actual output.