Startups give stock options because they feel they have to in order to attract talent. The startups can't compete with Google/Apple/Microsoft when it comes to t

Startups give stock options because they feel they have to in order to attract talent. The startups can't compete with Google/Apple/Microsoft when it comes to the base salary, they simply don't have the cash or revenues to do so yet. But what if the startups offered something else that most of the big companies can't or won't? How about 100% remote work, real work life balance (less than 40h weeks), 4+ weeks of vacation out the gate, 4 day weeks during summer (like Basecamp) etc. Basically, given conflicting choices, always optimize towards what makes a great place to work. Would that attract top talent (not necessarily only the SV talent)? What if there were no stock options involved at all, would that make you less psychologically invested in the company?