> I think more people should be focusing their efforts on becoming better engineers for that middle class lifestyle That's a perfectly acceptable plan if it fi

> I think more people should be focusing their efforts on becoming better engineers for that middle class lifestyle That's a perfectly acceptable plan if it fits into your personal vision for yourself. Some people want to create things and make a business out of it. They want the full gamut of experience, including the hard times that can come with it. I'm one of those people. I left a very well paid gig to bootstrap my company and grind it out. I've learned so much and I employ 10 people. I value that and it gives me a lot of satisfaction. It's just how I have fun and get enjoyment out of life. I would advise against chasing "a billion dollars" though. Chasing that kind of money is more likely than not an ego play (catering to your ego rarely leads anywhere of value), and yes, the odds are against you. You can, with reasonable odds, build a good business. I recently read somewhere that most successful businesses are started by people in their 40s, which makes sense.