> The prototypical HNer is probably trying to start a business or passionately underpaid at a starup and making a fraction of what they would get paid working a normal job. Yeah, trivial.

I myself work at an early stage startup which I'm very passionate about. I still expect to get paid competitively. If you're the prototypical HNer (read: good developer) and you're getting paid under $100k, then you're messing things up.

As for starting a business, by far the most viable path is to do it in your free time until it either: (a) generates revenue you could live off or (b) has enough traction for meaningful VC.