What nuance do I not get, buddy, you're literally quoting me saying it. Yes, if the stock doesn't go up, you get nothing. I said this myself. This is an incentive for employees to work for increasing the value of the company.
What is it you think I'm missing here at all? You're pissed employees get nothing if stock doesn't go up? You think I'm missing that? No, THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF OPTIONS.