SharePoint 2010 Requires 4GB of RAM at a minimum

SharePoint 2010 (Foundation and Server) requires at least 4GB of RAM per server (front end, application server, index server, etc. etc). This is for test/demo/evaluation purposes. 8GB of RAM is required for a minimum production scenario.

That is what Microsoft says here and here and has been validated by experts in the SharePoint community like Spencer Harbar:

@joelsefJoel Ward

Internal host being conservative w/RAM for our SP2010 test virtual machines. Changed app svr specs from 4GB to 2GB. How can I convince them?

@harbarsSpencer Harbar

@joelsef it just won't hack it - that's not conservative, it's suicidal!!!!

A server can be installed and run on less, but unintended consequences will follow. E.g. services not provisioned properly (I'm looking at you, UPS), poor performance, general mayhem.

4GB is the bare minimum. From what I have read and have been told, anything less will be taking your life into your own hands.

Does anyone have any validation or invalidation of this particular requirement? Has anyone be able to get certain server roles running on less than 4GB of RAM (WFE, APP, Office, Index)?