"they are, necessarily, judging us based solely on our ideas. I would submit our ideas are exactly what is so important about us, and those other factors above actually serve as means to develop bias for or against someone. So here, someone's "essence" gets attacked - very sobering indeed!"

Stating that your ideas are your essence is your first misconception. The temporal positions that you express on this board, based on speculation and small amounts of facts have absolutely nothing to do with your essence which thankfully is not that superficial. If you trace back on any number of posters you will notice how "ideas" shift constantly based on the current information/beliefs. So, how can anyone be that attached to their ideas when they are subject to change at a moments notice. If anyone here lays claims to knowing exactly what is going on at all times than we as shareholders would be much further ahead. I would assume no one would make such a claim, therefore, one's suppositions should be offered with humility, not defensively from the ego, which is the cause for all argument. I understand your opening comment about my referring to looks, names, locations, but my later words "or most anything else important about us" does not refer to the former which are not considered the important things, though you are correct in commenting that they do provide grounds for predjudice. Your stance on my article would be considered by many " arguing for your weaknesses". The latter is not intended to be a put down as we all share that position myself included.