Originally Posted by brp

The folks in the exit row have a very specific critical function in helping to assure the safety of others- opening the damned door and not being distracted. While it is true that someone elsewhere could compromise safety as well (because of a kid in another row, panicking or just being a dingus), this is unlikely to have the same impact as a failure by the person who is supposed to open the exit.

And, by the way, I used to be of the school of "who really cares because we're all going to die anyway" until I checked my facts (with the help of good posts in prior threads similar to this) and learned that other things do happen.

Cheers.