Lost another local guy yesterday, RIP Randy.

there's a much higher chance of dying in a crash when not wearing a helmet. I don't mention 'helmet' for my ego, I mention it because he's dead and wasn't wearing a helmet --- maybe he'd die anyway but plenty of people own completely rashed up helmets ... things would be much different if that was their head and face

I don't care if anyone wears a helmet or not but I do know how I drive my car and how everyone else drives their car and that guy was pointing out that folks should be looking out for bikes when that's just not that realistic in my opinion. the reality is that so many people are driving while talking on the phone or with a cheeseburger in their hand or yelling at their kids -- even when people are '10 and 2', they tend to just be semi-mindlessly cruising down the street. that's just how it is in my opinion and it's on the rider to do what they can to avoid dying.

Just because you're wearing a helmet doesn't mean you wont die.

Well duh. Does it increase your chances of living? Yes.

Just because you wear a helmet doesn't make you any better than anyone

Well in terms of surviving a crash. It most definitely does mean you are better...better off living. Whether or not it makes you a better person is obviously arguable but I would argue that it does. Choosing to wear a helmet is a common sense type of thing to do. If you do not have the cognitive capabilities to protect your most vital body part in an already dangerous hobby, then you aren't very smart.