[Clubber]

A few narcissists I've met in tech have potential but never get past first base because they are incapable of admitting they're wrong, and therefore incapable of improving. They are perpetually junior devs that are good at self promotion.

I'm not saying the author is like that, but he might be.

[Nevermark]

They don’t really pump themselves. Their network is full of people they appreciate.

They would like to work in a better context with such people.

They are discouraged by the quagmire of the low quality cold interview swamp.

I don’t see narcissistic flags here, and I have had significant experiences with that category of person. Unfortunately.

The irreverent gallows humor seems to be throwing some people off. But that is often a creative person’s tactic for maintaining a light mood in casual (not professional) contexts, despite rough circumstances.

(Narcissism isn’t being off putting, difficult, unpleasant, objectionable, etc. It is as important to not overapply that concept as it is to recognize it. It is usually not immediately obvious, as they are often image conscious and exude charm. Unless they have a secure power imbalance, or you are socially irrelevant to what they care about.)