This thread on hackers actually seemed kindof short to me. Not nearly enough bike-shedding to call it a closed case.
Seemed about right:
"We should do this"
Yes
No - with a reason
No - with a reason
No - improve user education
No - emphatically
Yes - but ends ups deferring to the majority
No one else chooses to voice an opinion
The status quo prevailed since no-one chose to contribute further arguments for change and the original patch was retracted. What kind of "bike-shedding" (which seems to be used incorrectly here) would you expect?
All I can speak for is personal usage but I don't find the current default to be an issue. I'm also generally opposed to changing this kind of default even when I disagree with its current value. If anything psql is a bit too permissive by default IMO. Default should be as safe as possible even at the cost of user inconvenience - so that unknowledgeable people get the most protection. If options exist to trade safety for convenience that is good - each user can make that trade-off for themselves and in the process be aware of what exactly their decision entails.