Well, I think it's one of the major problems with PHP and MySQL. By default the combination allows extremely unsafe code. or I should even say encourages. I'm all for allowing for the coder to take those routes if he wants to, but for the love of god, teach the noobs to program safely. While you can use safe methods with PHP and MySQL, other languages encourage it. For example C# combined with Microsoft SQL Server makes sure the programmer is coding safe code. On top of that MSSQL is speedy, stable product that is used by millions individuals and enterprises. For me that sure does tell about quality, and by looking at the companies using Microsoft SQL Server I'm even happier to pick it as my platform. btw, I personally found their Microsoft SQL Azure cloud-based databases services absolutely stunning. They are highly scalable, ultra fast and automatically taken care of for you. As a hobbiest web based game developer it's performance I wouldn't have money to get elsewhere. And the sheer quality of the service is absolutely great.

I mean highly profitable investments like pyramid schemes.

What about the people who die before retirement? When you're putting money to retirement savings you're gambling it. It's also money off from investments that could make you a lot more. And of course, it's money off right away.

Why not stop caring about future and live now like it would be your last day on earth? That's what I've done for the last 2-3 years and it's been great. I've also done so many things during that time. And I will continue doing so and let the future me take care of himself. If he is even half as awesome as I am, he will survive and he will survive even better than if I took care of him.