I agree with your false dilemma point, but am not comfortable with the "ignorance is bliss" state of the point preceeding it. The cold comfort of statistics is that the odds are that we can wallow in bliss on your (or my) next trip.
Neither am I. My point is that this is the dilemma we face, like it or not. Its an all or nothing deal. So you are completely ignorant or completely "in control" as the poor crew of 447 found out.