I have to say that I find that the general assumption on some people's parts that our first action should be to accept ATC instructions, and then to think about it later rather disturbing. I know of nothing in any rulebook which says that accepting an ATC service, of any description, absolves the captain of the aircraft from absolute responsibility for ensuring the safe and legal operation of their aircraft.
This should be carved in stone and mounted above the book-in desk of every flying school in the UK. It should also be printed on every other page of the log book of every flying instructor until the trend is abolished.
Perhaps the biggest change I've seen in the 25 years I've been flying is this trend towards blind obedience to the radio at the expense of THINKING about what you are doing, assuming command, and making command descisions. My impression, and that's all it is, is that this is a result of the old generation of ex-military instructors retiring and being replaced by low-hours guys on their way to a career in the airlines.
SSD