

All of that is fair, except for one thing: you absolutely can see phenotype. It being observable characteristics is literally part of the definition. The pheno- prefix has a Greek root meaning to show or display, same origin as in phenomenon. A phenotype is thus categorizing something based on how it appears.





I actually used to know a guy who pulled this sort of thing. Got 4 years, $100k fine and $428k in damages owed. Caused a huge number of problems for an energy company for a month because he got wind they were going to fire him.
I prefer my version of it, which is knowing both who to contact at our largest customers. I’m under no contract that prevents me from showing a customer where and how the metaphorical bodies are buried were I to be terminated. I could do the other kind of stuff, trivially even, but that’s likely to end in prison…