“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.