It is calculated risk, but I'm guessing most people would change their minds if blood was p1ssing out of their head. People are just like that.

How about we change the topic away from the pros/cons and what people think about actually waring a helmet to what constitutes a good helmet? For example, the Giros I mentioned about earlier have built-in earpieces you can connect both your cell and mp3 player to. Many street/bmx/freestyle helmets also have less of an 'aero style and more 'back of the head' protection.