[CONTRARlAN]

> If this wasn't exaggeration, we should study the fortunate circumstances by which this calamity has been avoided for 17 years.

Leaving aside the truth of their claims at the time–because it's irrelevant–your comment makes the fatal error of assuming conditions haven't changed at all in 17 years.

[jessaustin]

Assuming I'm not dead, ISTM "changed conditions" would be such a fortunate circumstance, although perhaps somewhat unspecific. How have conditions changed? Have all the hackers been eliminated? Do hackers have no interest in taking down the internet? Have previously vulnerable processes been made more secure? Have previously trusted parties been removed from positions of trust? Can you fill in the blanks for us?