Losing 1-3 years of career development by working at a failed startup with other 20-somethings from whom you have nothing to learn is a very expensive career ch

Losing 1-3 years of career development by working at a failed startup with other 20-somethings from whom you have nothing to learn is a very expensive career choice -- unless we do actually live in a bubble of vapid startups in which actually being good at your job (whether it's programming, business development, or otherwise) doesn't actually matter. That's not even factoring in the broader opportunity costs, actual cash outlay, etc.