[randyrand]

> Middle class kids can afford one throw.

*self funded

Once you have decent funding, the wealth of your parents shouldn’t impact you very much.

[jrochkind1]

Some things it impacts includes:

1) Your safety net. If you lose, will they help you out so you at least aren't totally destitute?

2) Your social/professional network, and (correlationally) your access/ability to develop one, or funders and other technical assistance.

[mcguire]

In this metaphor, once you have decent funding you are no longer a "middle class kid".