Look at this way: It's your money. Literally. Would you, as a VC, or as a kickstarter-type group, give $500M to a company, with no equity stake, but Elon telling you, "Hey, it's risky I know, but it's a great investment because it will kick off all this other economic activity that will benefit you in the long run, so you don't really need equity; you will reap the benefits indirectly in greater magnitude." Of course not. It's only acceptable because it's a cause many HNers believe in, and the money does not seem "real" since it's abstracted out through tax collection and distribution.

How much of a pay cut would you accept being forced on you to pursue these dreams? Might be the next dream, you don't agree with (like a trillion dollar war).