> Arguably, the web is worse with chat bots, sticky headers, and modals constantly vying for your attention.

We can blame this on the MBA types. I've literally never heard a software engineer say "hey, let's make this pop-up after they've already been looking at the page for a minute!" or anything like it.

Engineers typically aren’t tasked with increasing revenue/engagement.

Unfortunately I have to disagree - if there weren't any engineers around to implement the dark patterns they wouldn't be as prevalent. Maybe this calls for an equivalent of the Hippocratic Oath but in the tech world?

Brick layers. Developers develop, designers design was more my point, though of course this line is blurred in many organisations.