"Are these people sufficiently like me in terms of beliefs, personality, past experiences, goals, etc. such that I'm likely to have minimal conflicts based on these things, and maximize the likelihood of enjoying going to work every day."

Notice not once did I mention age in there. However age could obviously be a factor. The reality is, I'm at a different point in my life than someone fresh out of school.

- I have a wife who gets upset and eats without me if I'm not home for dinner by a certain time, so I don't often go out for dinner with colleagues on Thursdays.

- I have a mortgage, so no, I'm not willing to work for free/peanuts and options that are claimed to be worth millions (oh, and 4 year vesting + 1 year cliff).

- I value my free time because I want to work to live, not live to work. "Work/life balance" vies for the top spot on my consideration list along with "culture" for this reason. I have no interest in killing myself for a fixed income. I will do my job, do it exceptionally well, and put in the hours when necessary, but I want to work with people who know how to shut work off and have a life.

Age is a variable that correlates with a propensity for being in a certain "life stage." That is why it is near impossible to separate from this discussion. When more companies are willing to pay the senior compensation that such experience justifies, and make work/life balance a core part of their company, that will help. But I don't think it will ever disappear because if you want to work with others "like you," you have a more likely chance of finding those people if they are the same age.