Something similar actually happened to me. Somebody called me about a job application I submitted through craigslist/email 6-7 years ago. This was while I was a student. I had to tell the lady that I don't even live in the same area.
A number of years ago I was internally referred to a role at one of the FAANGs. When speaking with the recruiter or hiring manager they seemed pretty confused at why I was even qualified. Eventually I asked them what address was written at the top of the resume they were looking at.
"Ah yes. You seem to have a copy of the resume I entered into your system fresh out of high school."
We can refine and optimize granular tasks. So we start subdividing careers this way as well, with the assumption that nothing is lost along the way. It's profitable, so companies keep doing it. Then you have the situation described in the article: nobody knows why something is going wrong and nobody can help you. The world starts feeling bureaucratic, inefficient, and impersonal.
Of course, the delivery driver isn't going to have any idea why your package is four months late. It's not his responsibility. Depending on how you look at it, that may not be a bad thing.
What's the incentive to correct this? Are there examples of companies which have these faults at large scales, but are still somehow profitable enough to not be pressured to make changes? I mean it's difficult to even describe the problem.
Obviously this is nowhere near 48 years.
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