This is going to sound hypocritical, I'm certain. I'm one who sorely misses the random deaths in the game. I began my Simming Odyssey with Sims2, you see. There you had to be on your guard. Pregnant Sims could die during their pregnancy. Don't let them ever take out the trash. Keep a banquet table on hand so they don't starve to death. If your Sim attempts to fix something electrical, they could fry themselves. Ghosts were not your friend. No Casper the Ghost in that game. If your Sims' needs are too low and a ghost scares them, oopsie, another Sim bites the dust.
So, since I had never experienced an emotional death, I left it on, realizing that I never experienced all things in both Sims2 & 3. However, when I lost not one but two Sims one right after the other at a Charity Event my Global Superstar was throwing (his very first one), I shrugged and started the family again. But, then it appeared as if the game itself (I know it sounds insane) targeted my Global Superstar killing him not once but three separate times. First time I didn't comprehend how or why he became hysterical. So, I rolled the save back one and discovered his older brother told him a joke. I was able to avert the problem. But, just as in real life you can't escape your Fate, Death knocked on his door a bit later. He died at the foot of the front porch steps. I rolled back a few more saves to when his twin nephews were still infants. Suddenly, he was targeted again. I deleted that game save altogether and came to the boards to share my stories of WOE.
That's when I found out I could bypass Emotional deaths. Hey, I had experienced it more than a few times. When EA tweaks it a bit, if they do, then I'll remove my SAFEGUARD. It's one thing for a random happening to occur, but quite another when the game itself seems intent on killing your most favorite Sim. Call me a Hypocrite, I don't care. If you only knew what I have been through with this Sim, you would understand, I'm sure.
ETA: To the OP, it is entirely possible for a person in RL to laugh themselves to death. It can cause a heart-attack and that's no joke. Look it up yourself and you'll find what I found. On the surface it seems improbable and silly, but even some die of the proverbial Broken Heart. Just look at how the Hysterical Sim ends up clutching at their heart. I'm just sayin' …
ETA: After I finished reading your post, especially on the cons side of the issue, I felt compelled to tell more of my story. I did try to play out that first game save. My Global Superstar was the one tapped to care for the Toddler twin boys. His then girlfriend must have had an aversion to children because she was useless. I mean, we're talking she didn't lift a finger to help out! Out of fear and because I actually dreaded the knock on the door (I knew in my heart was coming) with the SS (sorry) I mean Social Worker would show up tp take the wee boys away. Erik did his very best, too, but he just couldn't keep up the pace and keep his career alive. Again, his soon-to-be EX girlfriend was totally useless. That's when I rolled the game save back to when the twins were still infants. After that things just went downhill.
