> So to those that think FAANG is some badge of honor, don't believe the hype, I don't think FAANG employment is a meaningful signal at all.

I honestly think FAANG employees sank their own boat. The constant bragging of how little work the do in a week on anonymous forums, and the "day in the life" videos that show everything but work. Despite their bragging about being 10x, I don't see any proof of it.

The 1% of SWE though are very good (especially older employees with years of experience e.g. Rob Pike). The rest of the 89%, as you say, are mediocre at best. A Google employee in 2010 is not the same as a Google employee in 2020.