I agree, there seems to be much more startup advice on HN than people sharing experiences... So yes, there is too much hype. That said, I am a gainfully employ

I agree, there seems to be much more startup advice on HN than people sharing experiences... So yes, there is too much hype. That said, I am a gainfully employed scientist with money in the bank, and I am also a hard-working co-founder. It is not about money or promises of easy-living to me. It is about the challenge of building something that does not yet exist. I don't read self-help books, and avoid blog posts about start-up strategy. I consider such things as a serious waste of time, and a dangerous distraction from free-thinking. However, some people share actual experiences on HN, and I find that to be valuable. Also IMHO: 9 in 10 of us are not 'doomed'. I don't believe there is an 'us', and I do not perceive myself to be taking chances. Everyday I am doing something that makes me happy. Where's the chance in that? If your goal is to accrue money, then for God sake's don't do a startup. As you point out, there are much better ways to do that.