These might not be related though?
> work is fulfilling
> It exhilarating to start projects, then see them degrade inevitably into corporate monstrosities.
What you describe does not sound pleasant. So it's not fulfilling after all?
The no individual code ownership policy is hard to bear for inquisitive minds, though.
Thus the talent shortage.
I would not work on boring ass project with cripping management problems and think that's fulfilling. I assume you have recruiting problems because most people share that sentiment.
People like to work on interesting stuff without much office politics, that is "fulfilling" to them, even if outcome is app that would be "boring" to the outsider.
I meant working for emeregency services, social security, global medical dossiers, etc This is objectively public utility.