I wholeheartedly agree 50K is a miserable salary in the Bay, but the original premise was $1M in the bank:
>I feel like it is hard for people to say what they truly love before they have at least $1M in their bank account. If you have FU money, your view on working at a FAANG vs building a startup can change. You will find it easier to know what you truly LOVE
The question wasn't if you can retire, or live of the investment income, but one of perceived finical security.
If someone is too afraid to try working at a startup with $1M cash in the bank, it is unlikely they ever will.
Even if someone has kids and family, $1M provides a huge buffer to find a new job if the startup doesn't work out. Maybe 20 years is a stretch, but I am utterly baffled that other posters think this would only cover 2 years of spending...