In reply to Central Geek.

I really think you need to go to a WordCamp and sit in on a few sessions in the "Blogger" track and get to know the people that use WordPress in ways that are different from your own.

Having an easy option to turn off automatic updates would be a huge mistake. If you have the gumption and means to turn off automatic updates, then you're likely someone who is capable and willing to manage and install updates in a timely manner yourself and take responsibility for what may happen to your site.

Making the option a checkbox allows people to make that decision without understanding the implications of what they're doing.