[inputcoffee]

There are a number of similar sites (wefunder was YC, and Angellist dominates the space).

We shouldn't treat the "public at large" like kids, and they have the right to do what they want with their money.

HOWEVER, I do hope that people don't get hopped up on TechCrunch stories about gazillion dollar exits and then cash out their 401k to invest in some company or another.

They should know that the vast majority of startups fail, and that the chances are any particular one will fail. They should also understand that it isn't worth the due diligence for $100 or something, so you're really taking a flier unless you piggyback off someone else's diligence (which you should).