I'd argue that this is largely due to the lack of standardization within our industry (note that Im not arguing for standardization for other reasons I think we

I'd argue that this is largely due to the lack of standardization within our industry (note that Im not arguing for standardization for other reasons I think we all know)... Basically when you start a job there is a relatively long learning curve. The technology, business, and interpersonal relationships are all unique and they all take a rather long time to develop. Usually the beginning part of that learning curve hurts the most (ex. learning how not to break the build and speak with some competency about the code base) and the rest is called personal "growth" and is usually satisfying and can run for many years without plateauing. The problem is that once you get to this middle staged growth, you dont want to have to go back to beginning part that comes with getting a new job (although I do recognize some people are different). Now on the flip side if we were assembly line workers building light bulbs, the moment you heard the light bulb shop across the street pays 20% more and desperately needs people you'd probably be running across the street in a flash. And the next day at the new place would probably be about the same with 20% more pay. The fear within tech is that, without standardization of work places, you can end up realizing you stepped into a big pile of crap. Crazy managers, incompetence, long hours, shady investors, etc etc. Its not my desire to suggest we should turn the industry into light bulb manufacturing but I think the non-standardization has probably lead to the strangeness in hiring.