Tyler, good post. I agree with you on most of it. I think your issue really becomes (and this is why I refuse to sign them most of the time): the cost of defending an NDA is usually not worth the cost of the engagement. I.e. if the project is worth under $20k to you, its not worth the potential cost of hiring a lawyer to defend it. Also what are these people building? nuclear weapons? most ideas aren't as original as people think.