First, I think your wrong that this forum favors PLB as a problem solver over personal responsibility or education/ability to self-rescue. Its not a black ball comment, but it is an incorrect statement.

PLB's, EPIRBs, flares, laser flares, strobes, cell phones, survey tape, soap stones, signal mirrors, whistles, bright clothing, should be treated as nothing but a technique. Some with obvious technological accelerators.

Second, I carry the SPOT2 and it has not changed my hiking, trail running, camping at all. I am not personally more risk prone nor more risk tolerant of those around me. My trail pals are as competent or more competent than I. There are still areas where I run, hike that my first line of defense when in trouble is my side arm and not my SPOT. Not that I have needed to produce either, but I have both. -And that is not hyperbole. Prospectors in many areas of the Superstition Mtn's will ward off people from their search areas with firearms.