Well, I for one don't mind the analogy by the OP. If you take the situation down to its logics it does seem crazy. But as they say:
"Insanity is a sign of the times! You have to learn to embrace the madness; Let it fire you!"
I for one have never EVER preordered anything in my life, I have never been an early adopter; and have usually found that, as with the GP2X I was better off waiting for the bugs to be ironed out with my MKII.
But this is different, at least it is for me. I've watched as the whole thing came into focus. Offered feedback on different details through the forums and felt all the bumps in the road as they happened. I was more surprised than anyone when I found myself desperately trying for hours on the 30th to get my preorder in. I feel more ownership in this product than any that I've bought off the big guys as its something completely new in concept, genesis, development and eventual completion. What I bought in on was being a part of it as the story unfolds.
Will everything go as scheduled? I hope so, but will not be disappointed if it doesn't. Will there be setbacks?
I expect so, but that doesn't deter me in the least. Will the first units be completely perfect in every respect? I expect there will be some issues but they will be fixed as time goes on. What I do know is that it will be one interesting ride though.
All I can say is that after spending time at GP32x daily for over two years now, Is that Ive seen the improbable and the much voiced cries of impossible overturned too many times here to not think the Pandora has a great shot of being something REALLY special. In for a penny, in for a pound. I would have paid much more to see how it all turns out.