I think that when it comes to aerobatics, the arena of competition is the best place for it. It satisfies the urge to compete. When done at basic/beginner level you do it high enough up to get out of trouble. The main benefit though is the review of your flying by experts in the field.
Anybody flying dangerously in the box is told they are. Tuition to fix your bad habits is also easy to come by.
Its far safer than simply going off by yourself or worse taking someone with you to show off.
Aeros will always be less safe than cruising, just as hunting is less safe than buying your food from a shop, but we still do it because its what we live for.