there's one nail you've smacked firmly on the head - "the biggest variable here being the individual"
to a large degree, that's what it comes down to, regards your chosen destination of style?!
as far as the 'grail seekers/chasers'....can't really comment there (or would rather not
)
but often, folk mosey around aimlessly looking for a "magic" item of software/indicator/system in which to alleviate the pain/hard work/persistance of putting in the hours of study & research??....only to eventually realise (if they're lucky enough) that had they begun their journey at that point in the first place, they'd have saved themselves an awful amount of time & cost!
there aint no 'easy route' is there??...if there was we'd all have taken it & there'd be masses of folks out there stripping bucks willy nilly out of the pot!
the points you make regards the fine lines are correct, but only time & exposure to the markets will judge the oucome of who reads leaves & who doesn't
maybe YOUR answers have to ultimately come from the angle of "what are my objectives"?....what exactly do I want to achieve here?.....and they're judged by a lot of differing considerations? : time alloted to trade/funds/experience/preferred style & disciplines/etc......
there is no right or wrong outlook, some folk prefer automation, others like to sit close to the action & ride the rhythm....only by experimentation will you come down on one side or the other, or maybe a happy marriage of the two?