As Mr Graham states, most arguments are about the differences in the meaning and definition of words. Your meaning of "being interested in ideas" and specially

As Mr Graham states, most arguments are about the differences in the meaning and definition of words. Your meaning of "being interested in ideas" and specially "stuff" is different to Graham's. This is not a surprise because both "idea" and "stuff" are just generic placeholders in which you can enter whatever you want. I see that a lot when I write or speak to a big group of people. No matter what I say somebody somewhere interprets it in the worst possible way I could barely imagine myself.