I may be extrapolating the current situation out too far, but I figure that it'll just sharpen the distinction that already exists between startups and big comp

I may be extrapolating the current situation out too far, but I figure that it'll just sharpen the distinction that already exists between startups and big companies. Right now you can go to a big company and make triple, or you can work for a startup because some combination of the risk/responsibility/potential equity payoff makes up for the loss in salary. I was just extending that idea out further; I already know multiple people who have saved a few 100k a couple years out of college and are much, much less motivated by money now (vs the non-monetary payoffs that startups offer). Sure, the pool of engineers who would do so may be small, but that doesn't mean EVERY startup needs to take this route. Either way, it's an interesting thought.