I disagree with OP. Treat YC as a school where you learn and network. It is not a zero-sum game. If you made it big, you've hit the jackpot. If not, you still g

I disagree with OP. Treat YC as a school where you learn and network. It is not a zero-sum game. If you made it big, you've hit the jackpot. If not, you still gained valuable experience and skills applicable to the industry and other areas of life. It's like going to a college. If you didn't find a job right out of college, it doesn't mean you've wasted four years of your life. The expected value of doing a startup is very high when your career is just starting. You are well-educated with very marketable skills. You don't have people depending on you. If you are building something and picking up transferable skills, all while being surrounded by the most driven people (and paid), I don't see why someone wouldn't try their luck with YC (or any other startup incubators).