The subject of the vanishing job has special ________ when considering General Electric, partly because GE jobs were so ________ in another era and partly because the company has earned record profits while eliminating them.

As the statement shows no effects or plans; thus 'poignancy' or 'piquancy', both indicating the intensity, would be appropriate to replace the first blank. The explanation in the latter part of the sentence following 'because' also complies this. As the explanation highlights the positive side, hence “plentiful' would replace second blank. 'Sprinkling' means handful, few. Therefore, (1) is the answer.