> which for me starts at 6K 32”

that's a weird start. for me the start is 4k with proper blacks & proper color calibration

> given that a couple of hundred more over 5 years would have surely improved productivity by a little bit

no company wants the bulk of it's people to improve their productivity by even a little bit. you should be productive enough, that's it.

> It felt almost done out of spite to keep people in their place

otherwise amazon and the likes would have competitors in every country. but I don't think it's out of spite.

it's the 'established' interpersonal culture between employers and employees, like in packs without natural alphas: if one beta-beta steals the show of the beta-alpha a few times too many, he's a goner. in packs with alphas the performer gets commended and a chance to compete for the top because you want your team to be lead by the currently best. hasn't been the case in our species for a long while now.

companies don't treat their employees bad out of spite, it's so they can stick to low, moderate(d) standards and cultures, ... and have an easy work life