LLF:
Take it from my experience, there are lots and lots of total boneheads out there with pilot certificates that pay absolutely no attention to the rules, and are an accident waiting to happen. You just hope that when it happens, they dont take innocent people with them because of their stupidity.
Sounds like another activity we are involved in with flying as the main event.
In one to one scale, especially in the military, at best, calculated risks are normally required to accomplish the mission. If the mission is -- as most of the time in RC toy-airplanes -- just to show off or satisfy ego, then such undue risks are, as you so state, stupid.
As a military pilot, did I ever do STUPID things -- You betchum, Red Rider! Both intentionally and un-intentionally.
As a commercial pilot, did I ever do stupid things -- again yes, however not intentionally. Shot happens.
I had an opportunity once some years ago to go flying with a guy in his Chipmunk out east of San Jose, CA. He showed me an area where future acrobatic show-pilot wanna'bees did their practice. There certainly were many
spots on those hillsides. Back then I had no idea so many people bought the farm in that activity. As I learned more about civil aviation, I remained amazed at the number of serious light airplane accidents each year in the U.S.
That is one reason I am so concerned about RC Safety, as so many newbies in the activity have no clue as to just how dangerous it can be. Far too many don't seem to care.