As I see it, the YC & startup world is consistent with the philosophy of that article. At least to me, the whole idea is that if you're a highly competent person and willing to tolerate some risk, you have a reasonable chance of being able to spend more time doing the things that you love in life in the long-run -- seeing your family, traveling, and having the freedom to hack on whatever you want -- if you can do a successful startup while you're relatively young.

Better to live a day as a lion... you know the rest.

Maybe I'm not old enough, maybe it's because I don't have a family, but I'd rather do something few others have done than just lay around with my family until they send me off to the retirement home.

So, I disagree with your position 100%.

Anyone have a link to video of the guy who rides on top of the high speed train shortly before he dies of cancer?

He wouldn't trade fulfilling his dreams for anything either.