Outside the box PC backgrounds

We're so use to the classic PC start in many RPGs where the PCs start as nobodies with nothing much to distinguish them. <br /><br />In D&amp;D it was low starting hit points<br />In SF it was just two starting skills and no equipment to speak of.<br /><br />So the recent discovery of this book: http://www.amazon.com/Redshirts-A-Novel-Three-Codas/dp/1469298279 got me thinking about unexpected or out side the box PC backgrounds because the red shirts were disposable and making them the hero was unexpected.<br /><br />so how what would expand the possibilities of PC starting background and be outside the box?<br /><br />One idea would be to use a set of faction rules (like in Stars Without Number) and let a player start with a young inexperienced character that just inherited a corporation. This would especially work if the character concept was of a millionare playboy/adventurer.