Was hoping to read about graph database, AI-related changes..., but didn't expect this: "I almost died in the spring semester...surprisingly hard to concentrate on important things like databases when you can't breathe." Hope Prof. Pavlo has been breathing better, stellar review.
The levels are very similar to all those hierarchy used in big corporations outside of the tech. Classic selection and grooming techniques. We all get to decide if we want to play that game or not.