In a world of mass hallucination (psychosis), doom-scrolling and international capital, software decay is a logical process. Your Leaders have no incentive to think systemically when they have guaranteed immunity.
A good software is a result of meritocratic system with accountability and transparency.
Just take a statistical view on investment in education vs investment in AI infrastructure and the picture becomes clear.
The designer fallacy. Techno-optimism. Detachment from the real problems of humanity. Desensitized obedience for career growth or social benefits.
We build software on the shoulders of giants with a sense of reality and human connection. We lost this skill.
You cannot abstract to infinity. You cannot complicate things just because and expect quality and maintainability to emerge from the ether.