I'd love to hear more about these "leave when the free soda disappears" signs. I think a lot of us can benefit from the unmoderated experiences of others who've been in this situation. When "lifers" start disappearing that's a big indicator the show's over.
Note that it doesn't even have to be malicious at all; it's just a sign that the company is switching from the company you started working at to something else. Not everyone is up for that kind of change. Imagine the difference between working at the plucky startup trying to do X and working at any of the huge companies those startups can become.
