I've always found it bizarre that people would willing give hundreds (if not, thousands) of dollars to fund a business venture for some paltry token of apprecia

I've always found it bizarre that people would willing give hundreds (if not, thousands) of dollars to fund a business venture for some paltry token of appreciation while the founders (and investors) receive all of the financial rewards. (The "Veronica Mars" movie comes to mind.) Also, I find it deeply upsetting that I am be allowed to give my life savings to a startup founded by a friend or family member, but I can't do this with a stranger...because the government wants to protect me or something. But, really, I can't really blame regulators for this paternalistic policies since most people blame the banks for the financial crisis while pitying those impoverished home owners who stupidly purchased homes they couldn't afford.