Newbiesailor:
Don't get too offended, everyone means well around here. Some just have a variety of experiences. All of us have had some type of close call, some closer than others. And the stories of others' severely dangerous experiences send chills to many of us because we can imagine some of our own past situations could have gone a lot worst than they actually did. Just keep safety in mind while sailing and learn from your mistakes, instead of repeating mistakes. Repeating mistakes does mark the "truely stupid". I don't think that describes you.