Read that last part again folks. Twice if you have to. You will run into the same folks in the industry if you last longer than 10 years.

“The industry” extends far beyond and is more than the big tech circle jerk. I’ve bounced around outside of the big tech circus for nearly 15 years now and have -never- unwittingly run into someone I previously worked with. Have I targeted institutions that I know employ people that I've crossed paths with in the past? Yes, deliberately for one reason or another, but never once have I been hired, paged through a company directory and been surprised to the point of "oh, they're here?".

Hey man if I run into the same people again I hope they either understand what my situation was.

People try to do their best.