Unless the definition and words that you so vehemently defend is complete BS for 90+% of investors. Keep clinging to your precious "definition" but rest assured the masses own nothing, have no power, and will only receive a return if the consensus of the rest of us buy into the vision that the asset's fundamentals and opportunities will continue to improve.
Don't let these guys discourage you and don't let definitions get in the way of sound logic.
I tried explaining to my neighbor earlier today that her cat is a dog. "Look!", I said, "She's covered in fur, walks on four legs, has four paws, and a tail. Just like my dog! Eureka! Your cat is really a dog!" She rolled her eyes at me and tried to tell me I was stupid, but you and I know that she's the stupid one. I'm sure they'll get it some day.
Ok Satan, thanks for the advice. So when is a stock not a stock? When it is a cat?
Stocks are not all the same, eventually, they become something that isn't really a stock.