a small objection to this criticism of silicon valley

Isn't the whole idea behind the technology that it allows people to do more with less so that you just don't have to throw people at problems? Are Silicon Valley engineers, or those in China's tech industry, nothing more than glorified bricklayers who instead of getting calluses simply get repetitive stress injury?

First, f off with denigration of the trades. As if software engineering is a trade apart just because you had to take calculus before they let you design a WidgetFactoryInterface...

Second, engineers are less than bricklayers because bricklayers have a union. They get paid for overtime. Their union has negotiated health benefits corresponding to their employment-related health risks.