I had to replace my hard drive after a passenger very abruptly went into full recline mode within a fraction of a second. His seat caught my laptop and jolted it to the extent that my computer would no longer operate. It happened on my way to Japan, so I was sans laptop at an important time. Now, I'm extremely aware of where I place my laptop to ensure it doesn't happen again. I also sometimes ask the person in front of me to forewarn me if they choose to recline if I think my laptop might be in jeopardy.

I always look back before I recline to make sure I don't bump heads, laptops, etc. I also recline slowly. I wish others would be similarly considerate but the vast majority are not.