With Stripe's new RSU policy (almost looking like fixed TC but worse with delayed granting) I wonder who they are trying to attract.

yeah, plus they have sort of earned a reputation for being a bit of an intense place to work, quick to fire people who fall behind. Idk if that kind of stress is worth it.

So (sadly) in a way all companies wear that as a badge of honor and a way to filter for "culture fit"!

I mean, if I were in a slightly different point in my life, I might be willing to grind out long hours for a year or three if I thought I was going to come out the other end a multi millionaire.

But the way they structure the RSUs makes that way harder, it kinda feels like I might as well wait for IPO and buy shares then.

Lack of job security is big too, but I guess that's to be expected at any startup.