> sure but for every stripe there are 10 startups that either failed or didn't amount to a great payout.

yep. it's probably more like 100:1 don't go work at the other 99! :)

i agree that the value of options is statistically not greater than the compensation package at GOOGBOOK. that said, you don't get to live 1000 lives in parallel. so, either you have to think very carefully about this one (or ~5) investments you are going to make OR you can go work at a bigger company with higher salary if that isn't for you.