People are getting better at doing these equity calculations, and at the same time starting a company has never been easier so early stage companies need to offer more ownership to woo employees who have the "other offer" of their own startup idea...

The net result is that equity shares for the first 10 people in the company seem to be rising.. That's good! And it could also mean that being number 3-10 at a company could be a chance to both learn and earn.