Good post j4f, I can't find anything wrong in what you said. I will clarify my statement as requested.

Everyone here has worked hard to earn their savings and everyone also knows the legal responsibility that management has to protect shareholder interests and as PC says: "maximize shareholder value".

But the fact of the matter is that we have a choice about how we invest, which means the only action we take is to buy, sell or do nothing. This amounts to nothing in terms of the company's operations. So when I say we sit and do nothing, I mean that we have no impact on the success or failure of POET*.

(*The only impact I can see is if POET was raising money, and our loyalty led to a higher PP. But our impact on POET's growth minimal, and only due to aligned goals.)

It is up to us to select companies that offer the greatest gains for our personal risk profile. Having our money invested in POET means that we have tacitly accepted the large (but shrinking) risk associated with an R&D company listed on the venture.

Many of the comments I have read lately do not seem to account for this. They act as though POET is a drive-thru window at McD's, where they forgot to add an extra pickle on their Big Mac. This kind of entitlement irks me. I figure anyone who is less than content can sell their PTK and buy a company they think offers the same returns but with "better" management. They can also try Burger King.

As you noted, this company runs on a skeletal crew. They are making incredible progress in the areas that matter most. I wince with embarrassment when some of the comments found on this board when I recall PC joined us at breakfast, proving in word and in deed, that he cares for the retail shareholder. Then the two best expressions of Taylor's life’s work: EC and the recent article, are met with ridicule for things that don't matter in the grand scheme. It could only matter to penny flipping traders whether we hit 100nm yesterday or tomorrow.

I hope that helps explain my perspective. No disrespect to those shareholders like me who are so heavily invested in POET, and who would be hurt if for some reason POET failed.