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

And that implication is exactly why users should be warned about turning automatic updates "ON".

Automatic updates being forced without backups (which, if you actually read what I wrote you would know) is a dangerous practice. And WordPress itself has told people that for years. Now, it's dangerous to back up your site before updating?

Hardly.

I don't care to go to a WordCamp for an indoctrination into your way of thinking. I have spent 38 years working with computers, I understand the risks of updating without backups. What, you are trying to get me to join your religion? LOL

Nice try though.

BTW, how many ways do I use WordPress? And how many ways do my clients use WordPress?

If you presume to know, you are way over your limits.

There is NEVER a good point to be made for not backing up a website before updating it, unless it is a new install with nothing on it or a stagnate website which hasn't been used between updates. And even then, if something does go wrong, you will have to do a new install if you haven't done a backup. Unless the person involved is familiar with db maintenance and getting past a failed update.

BEST practice, back up a website before updating. PERIOD!