The parent company of the company I work for has done extensive research into ESD safe work environments. (they're the incumbent telco of The Netherlands). I even had to do an ESD course :) In the 80s en 90s this meant all work spaces that dealt with electronic components were ESD safe, with coats, grounding straps, the works.

In the last 10 years or so this has changed. There doesnt seem to be any damage to modern components when it comes to static electricity. Most datacenters in our company no longer require ESD safe work practices.

Like Eric, I never work ESD safe anymore. Of course, I dont wear wool sweaters and rub my feet over the carpet before I start. Actually, I generally try to ground myself once before I start. But ive opened a zillion devices (iphones, MBPs, nokias, desktop PCS, expensive multi-million dollar routers) without being fully ESD safe. It all still works.

Great info, Cor. I typically try to ground myself once before I start, too.

Unless you are grounded with an ankle strap you are not working ESD safe.
All viewers be aware that as cool and easy this looks like. Please be aware about what you are doing. Don’t wear synthetic clothing or wool and ground yourself using a wrist strap connected to a good ground (test it before you start working on sensitive electronics!).
Also your work surface should be a an ESD save mat that is grounded as well. All component should be stored inside special bags. and never placed on top of plastic or other metallic surfaces.
Even if the component(s) don’t immediately fail. Damaged chips cause intermitted issues. Causing all sorts of trouble that can look like hard or software failure.

I should also say that I would expect nothing less from an Apple guy, Rogier! :)

PC people open their machines all the time and hack 'em, even at home, where not everyone has an "ESD-safe mat."

You make good points. But I have been changing out hardware like this for 20 years with no problems. *shrug*

If I start doing this more often for other people, I will do it ESD safe.

True I know you know what you are doing. But my worry is for all your followers who don’t…. I have seen plenty of injured computers at my work as a result from various diy projects….