That's a kind of tier of employer that wouldn't even invite me to interview but you are right and I expect it will trickle down to my level in the long-run.

Don't beat yourself about it. My advice would be to get not too crazy about programming languages. Become proficient at one. Pick either C++ or Rust. Don't use HN as a source for making your next moves in career - it is very skewed. Rather use that energy to invest into building domain-specific knowledge - that will get you a lot further than being a programming language afficionado and a language lawyer. IMHO.