i had a brain haemorrhage when i was like 12 bombing a hill without a helmet. after that, my dad said if he caught me skating without a helmet he'd make me saw my board in half and burn it.
it's been many years since then, and i do go without one often. however, any time i'm skating a handrail, large(ish) gap, or hubba, i'll put one on. it's kind of sentimental if anything, but brain damage also fucking sucks. moreso i just want to skate for as long as i can, and if i'm a vegetable i won't be able to.
that being said, fuck guys who wear a helmet and are kooks about it.