Great post. When I started working in Silicon Valley over a decade ago, as a fresh graduate from college, I heard, "It's a small Valley" more than I can count. I smiled and nodded, and I didn't really understand how true this statement is.

Every year my career continues, I appreciate it more. Technology companies -- successful ones, at least -- are built around the magic of assembling extremely talented people and focusing their attention on the same set of problems. Companies don't last, but talent usually does, and people grow.