I think a good chunk of people here aren't looking to build a conventional business. Most are looking to (firstly) hack on something they find interesting and if the constellations are aligned right, make enough in an exit to be able to freely choose where/when they work (given "liquidity preferences", the latter would also imply "generate a non-trivial return for their investors", which ends up being used to back other ventures).
I'd imagine this gives them:
a) far more leverage to choose their projects at Google (if you're entering Google in a conventional way, you aren't even told what projects/team you will be working until your start date: you could interview hoping to work on search, but end up working on internal/IT applications)
b) enough money, so that after their stock vests at Google they'd wouldn't have to work.
You are right, however, that is very different from traditional entrepreneurship or business.
I'd imagine this gives them:
a) far more leverage to choose their projects at Google (if you're entering Google in a conventional way, you aren't even told what projects/team you will be working until your start date: you could interview hoping to work on search, but end up working on internal/IT applications)
b) enough money, so that after their stock vests at Google they'd wouldn't have to work.
You are right, however, that is very different from traditional entrepreneurship or business.