I agree on some sentiments, but you can learn at big companies also. You will likely learn a lot more tech at a startup but it is unlikely to teach you how large corporates handle various things, such as team work, testing, user requirements. I don't always think they do things the best way, but it can be useful to see how it is done in such places.
"The perks seem attractive (free food and occasional visits by Hillary Clinton or Bono)." - does anyone really want to meet them?<p>I agree that working for a start-up is good, as long as you are a member of the founding team, like the author.