To them, you are an asset. It comes down to money, simple as that. You are an asset, something to be traded, used or discarded at will. Somebody runs an excel formula and your number comes up to be let go. It’s only a job. You are a commodity for which your only value is tied to “what have you done for me lately”. It’s not a cult or religion or way of life, its just a means in which to pay your bills.
Don’t let getting laid off ruin your self esteem, you are worth more than they realize. A low performer at MS is an extremely excellent everywhere else.