[Jd]

So do you not brush your teeth each day because you are not sure if you will be alive tomorrow?

All forms of endeavor involve some form of risk management whether cognized or not. The prospects of a startup with the possiblity of high equity yield over a short period of time being a good investment increase with the competence of the original founders. Obviously PG was competent. The only reason you should 'fiercely disagree' is if you are not, in which case your argument only applies to yourself.

[newton_dave]

No, I brush my teeth every day because it's a relatively low price to pay for the health of my teeth in case I am alive tomorrow.

[ahsonwardak]

Ummm... if you've read about any entrepreneur types, their personal lives suffer at the hands of their passion for their idea and startup. Read Founders at Work. It's a recurring theme in the book.

But tomorrow holds no promises. There's no promise you'll be alive tomorrow. No one can guarantee that. My objection is that it does take some blind passion to work more today for more relaxing time later, but there's no guarantee that you'll be alive.

And of course, not everyone is going to run a series of successful technology startups. Newsflash, I'm not Paul Graham! I'm sure that he's more competent than I am.

Get a little perspective.