thanks for all the feedback thus far everyone

see and i guess thats what makes me wonder - some ideas:

-if u lace new spokes or have purchased a newly laced wheel (all things being equal w rim and hub and spoke quality) and u dont have them tensioned correctly - might u be good for awhile? just because there new and in good condition - i wonder how quickly the spokes degrade or fatigue when out of tension? (obviously many factors at play in regards to spoke lifespan)

-if the spokes are fatigued - getting them properly tensioned? might it buy u much time? or are the spokes doomed at that point?

-also - is there a greater durability w front as to rear spokes? i mean - poorly tensioned or fatigued spokes - might they 'live' longer in the front as it would seem that its the rear torque (or i am wrong) that deals the spokes death blow?