After my accident in February, my motto is better a brake than a break! (though it was not caused by being brakeless, it was inevitable. but whether you acknowledge or not, falling off your bike can F*ck you up! It may not be "Cool" but I suggest a helmet and a brake now-a-days. Being borderline brain-dead is even less cool, no body wants to be friends with the mentally disabled, for they can't relate as well. At least if you rock brakeless, use a helmet. You only have one brain, and it can be a magical and powerful thing!