[disruptiveink]

It was Bill fucking Atkinson. Not a disposable random contractor you hire by the dozen when you need to build more CRUD APIs.

At that time at Apple, even as an IC, Bill had lines of communication to Steve and was extremely valued. There's absolutely no doubt he could get "middle manager shenanigans" gone simply by not complying or "maliciously complying". Hell, I've seen ICs far less valuable, or even close to negative value get away with stunts far worse than these, succeed and keep their jobs. Out of all the stories in Folklore.org, this is the one you have an issue with?!

[bearjaws]

Most people know who Bill Atkinson on this forum. The story premise that he wrote negative code isn't my gripe, I am sure it happened.

The outcome where all of a sudden leadership just shit its pants and doesn't communicate at all and never followed up... It's like writing "and then everyone clapped" for programmers.

[lmm]

Man you must have only worked with really good management. "Management realised the stupid policy change they announced with great fanfare was stupid, stopped doing it, and never mentioned it again" is something I've seen several times in my career.

[AdieuToLogic]

> The outcome where all of a sudden leadership just shit its pants and doesn't communicate at all and never followed up...

This is not only a possible outcome, it is a common one. When leadership realizes it was a mistake to instill one of these types of "productivity motivators", it is easier to disappear it and never (officially) speak of it again.