not the parent commenter, but my sense is the argument is that all-the-more-so as a public company, user/engagement growth will be king, so the notion that dark patterns and growth hacks will go away is wishful thinking at best.

Agreed. The pressure to push numbers before an IPO will be even stronger after. Especially as control of the company/board shifts more towards returns focused shareholders.

Investors will demand the golden goose be slain, as per usual.

Short term profits instead of investing to build something truly great...