Martin, I was actually nervous when on GT you seemed so irritated, I was afraid you would come here and say things in a not-so-tactful way, but I think your post was overall pretty tactful. I do know the dictionary definition of the word ignorant isn't bad, but it does often tend to have a more negative connotation when used in conversation, people tend to feel it is calling them stupid rather than uneducated or misinformed. I agree when speaking about professions, organizations, and agencies (and even message boards ), people often tend to get lumped together. I think we're all guilty of it here and there, I admit it, I've made comments like "I'm sick of doctors" after having bad experience with a few doctors, or "you can't trust any politician." How many times has much of society bashed lawyers as greedy scum? Yet we have a close personal family friend who is a lawyer and is passionate about his work.

It all makes a point that lumping all people together is never good, at the same time I think it's a somewhat natural tendency. Heck even men and women tend to do it with the sexes, or older and younger with ages.

I'm as guilty as as anyone of having a pre-made image in my mind of people in the "racing industry." While there are still things that bother me, I have learned a lot too, and I'm reminded again two very important things: 1) Things aren't always exactly as they appear, and more importantly 2) It is never accurate or fair to lump people together into one category.