[ipaddr]

As someone with more than 20 years experience.. I always feared what you mentioned but your post made me question that fear.

Small companies may hold it against you and you may never have a chance to work their again but what are the odds they have a matching role and would you ever apply again.

The industry keeps getting bigger. I have never run into anyone I ever worked with in any other company.

I don't think it really matters.

The chances of seeing someone at a party or burning man or a ghost reference (they want your opinion on someone you never worked with?) is literally 0.

If you told everyone/everywhere it would make people question you.. why doesn't this great candidate (you wanted to hire them) decide to back out. What is wrong with this manager/team.. bonus is if you are successful impacting their career they can personally sue and take everything you own.