I'm just curious if others select their seating with thoughts of potential accidents in mind?

About 10 years ago, I read detailed report of all crashes showing seat assignments of survivors and fatalities (along with injuries). It was in visual format, with seating charts, and color-coded survivors/fatalities, and showed about 30-40 crashes, all different types aircraft. That report made me always select seats as close to exit rows as possible, if not in exit rows. My travel is generally planned far enough in advance that I almost consistently get row behind wing exits (and often get exit row at airport). Also, I will not sit behind wings on RJ's because of no exit.

Do others pay this degree of attention to seating assignments?

Yes and no.

I like to sit at or near the exit as I think that just makes sense.

I don't, however, beleive that there is any correlation between where you side and your ability to survive the impact. Each crash is too unique for that to be the case.

As such, I sit near the exists and don't fret about the impact issue.

Several years ago, for a period of years, I specifically chose seats near the back of the plane, feeling it was safer there in the event of a crash. Recnetly though I have not gone out of my way to choose seats for that reason.

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No. I prefer to save my energy for picking lottery numbers because I have a better chance of winning the lottery than of being involved in an air accident.

No. I select my seat based on comfort. Most likely nowadays, I don't get to choose; the plane will be nearly full and I'll take any available aisle seat.

Yes. That's why when I travel with my young daughters, I select a row close to the rear lav.

i pick my seat based on if i the middle will hopefully be free
else i pick the front usually right behind first class

Well said.

yes, i like the legroom of exit seats

Totally agree here. Life is full of accidents everywhere. One can only minimize it - not get rid of it.

There really is no reason to think the back of the plane is safer than the front. In the early 1980s there were several accidents where the only survivors were seated in the back (Air Florida 90, Delta 191 and the JAL 747 that crashed into the mountain), which gave rise to the notion that it was safer in the back. In other crashes, those in the back were the ones to die. It really depends on too many factors to try and plan.

I end up in exit rows about 80-90% of the time. It both gives me a bit more legroom/comfort and puts the responsibility for getting out in the case of an emergency in my own hands (because I don't trust any of you... )

It has never entered my mind. My seat choices are based on comfort and convenience.

Same with me. Comfort & convenience.

Comfort and convenience. I do look for the exit doors nearest me though.