It amazes me that anyone who has spent anytime studying bitcoin cannot grasp this very fundamental concept.  I guess we just have gotta deal with them.. man i could rant and rant about the dangers of large mining pools, but if it hasn't been grasped by this point, i don't just know what could be said.. it brings up so many emotions, i get angry that people can be so dumb, but it also makes me sad for them, like what happens in there brain? why do they have to live with such a brain, why am i so fortunate to not have to be so naive. maybe there is an certain ecstasy to this stupidity? should i be jealous, is common sense in some ways a burden? i just don't know. it truly is mind boggling. for those, who certainly exist, that have not been able to follow along with what i've said - yes, sticky mining pools, especially the big ones are a bad idea, a very bad idea. maybe try reading the wiki and then closing your eyes and just let it absorb in your brain. just sit in silence and let your brain process.