The only thing I might say to you in response to "the people falling for it" is that it's increasingly difficult for "the people" to stop the march of "progress." If my company announces that they're no longer providing a laptop to do my job, I either go without, use/buy my own, or try to find another job, whether I agree with their decision or not. I didn't necessarily "fall for it," it's more that I can't force them to understand that their decision is as silly as deciding they'll no longer buy desks and chairs, I'll have to bring my own or work from home.

Are the people powerless? No. More and more people can decide to figure out how to go into business for themselves and then create the workplace they want. Look, for example, at a company like Google, with their creative 20% days and foozball tables and all that (whether all that lasts is another conversation).

And, we can at least exercise our rights to assemble (whether physically or virtually) and talk, raising awareness through conversation, to help more people realize what's really going on behind the propaganda, confusion and subterfuge (all these articles coming out saying one thing, and then another thing, are distracting us from the reality that emerges as we put two and two together, that, once again, management is screwing labour and pocketing the difference).