I've read both articles before, just re-read them again, and fail to see how you conclude that it is "clear is that the casual retail investor is getting screwe

I've read both articles before, just re-read them again, and fail to see how you conclude that it is "clear is that the casual retail investor is getting screwed by HFT, and will never realize it." If you can offer a rational explanation based on fact or accepted theory then I'm willing to listen, but a wild assertion based on two random blog posts that make some weak assertions/assumptions won't cut it, IMO. I am not currently involved in high-frequency trading, but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night. :) Seriously though, I know several folks who are, I've followed the industry for a long time, and market micro-structure is a very interesting topic to me. But, why does that really matter, anyway?