[mindcrime]

The assumption that startups get to that point, when most don't even come close, is (to me) more dangerous than "consulting is like selling crack."

Sure, I doubt most of us would disagree with that. Startups are risky... they're bloody f%!#kng risky... but if you succeed, you have a chance at being legitimately rich. To some people, that's a chance worth taking, to some people it isn't.

Me personally, I prefer the idea of trying to build a product company and work for the big exit, to the idea of being a consultant. But I'm not making any claim that either lifestyle is objectively better... clearly it's a personal choice.