I like the metaphor. Perhaps without meaning to you've also explained one of the reasons it's attractive to take VC funding. Working those 3 years without pay really sets you back, but if you're getting a competitive salary, it doesn't and it's more like "other" jobs (and arguably more fun in most cases).
"gambling with time" is a very good way to put it. Not sure who gets the original credit. <p>I also liked one of the comments on the blog post: "Keep travelling at light speed till you expire."
Once a problem is characterized the solution often follows naturally. <p>Luckily there are no physical laws that prevent reasonable solutions to business/social problems of this sort.