Agree with this idea or not, Derek is an amazing person and a great inspiration. I always appreciate his ideas and his book list is amazing. I highly recommend it.
It does seem like India in particular has gamed the system. I can see the logic in this in the big picture. I don't see why people are calling this evil and cruel, it is just a way to help create jobs for citizens. Most countries make it very difficult for foreign workers. The US is still the most liberal and generous even after this small tweak.
The cycle of poverty will never be eliminated because it is human nature. Some people make wise choices and others make poor choices. It is evolution. No matter how many "adversity points" and other nonsense people come up with to make the system "fair", the family where the father is willing to break his back for his kids will win almost every time.
I don't think you understand how 401ks work. First, Morgan Stanley probably doesn't manager people's 401k allocations, the employees must choose their investments. Second, most 401ks only allow mutual funds, not single stocks.
The fiduciary rule is not in effect but the suitability rule is. You can't give someone unsuitable investments or you face lawsuits and fines. IPOs are very restricted to who can participate.
There is a lot of naughty business in the financial industry, but the industry does serve a real and necessary purpose. Businesses need ways to raise capital, etc. Investors need a place to save money for retirement. It isn't all evil.
There are two sides to every story. Perhaps this isn't really a Microsoft story as much as a young professional coming of age story. She may not have seen or experienced things the way her co-workers did. Maybe she rubbed people the wrong way? So many unknowns and not much concrete here. Welcome to real life, it isn't Utopia.