In reply to Bob Schecter.

"I believe the better idea is having backups and being able to step back if necessary."

And that is exactly the point. Don't "automatically" update without allowing people the choice of whether or not to back up their sites first. Thus, automatic updates should have the option to be turned on or off in core. Not requiring a plugin or hack of the wp-config.php file.

The resistance to allowing that one option is amazingly illogical.