This is a false choice.<p>There are more choices in your professional life than:<p>A) Being 9-5 daily grinder (for some reason this is always implied as being a bad programmer -- why?)<p>or<p>B) Working your ass off for some schmuck for terrible pay who gives you free snapple and a (perceived) enjoyable project.<p>In either case: THE FINANCIAL REWARDS ARE NOT GOING TO YOU - (Drinkers of the VC kool-aid this means you too).<p>To every passionate developer out there I challenge you to milk your 9-5.  Then go home and make what YOU want, and live and die by that effort.<p>Take both of these perceived benefits for everything you can. The security and stability of the 9-5, and the sense of enjoyment/accomplishment/financial reward from your independant work.<p>Do not work for other people except as a means to a guaranteed paycheck.<p>Do not let others enslave your passion and creativity.