Further, layoffs rarely are selective. Its not so much about the skill of the people being let go; its about keeping a sustainable subset of the business alive. A talented group may all be let go, and a less capable one preserved, because they are still cost effective.
Lots of companies didn't care about skills and talent in 2008, they laid off engineers making the highest salaries at my company, pretty much top to bottom in order. Except for one who was good friends with the CEO but even he was let go a few rounds later.
