You are not off key.
Hey. Step back a second and think about this forum.
There are a million different concepts of what "weeds" are. There are a million different concepts of the correct way to deal with what we call "weeds." A million times a million = a trillion different ways to think and deal with weeds. Friggin' good luck!
My personal definition of weeds is: A plant that potentially causes harm to domesticated animals or humans, or lessens production of foodstuffs for the masses. My definition doesnÂt include frequent mowing for control. IÂm talking about perennial Johnson grass for animals, etc.; poison ivy, sandbur, goathead, oleander, those kinds of problems for humans, etc.
There are a bunch of other definitions, to be sure. From my stated perspective, some people cannot provide an "organic" solution to their problems. It would be nice, but man has created a PandoraÂs Box that cannot be closed with organic solutions unless we are willing to watch millions starve (another entire dissertation!). We have done this to ourselves.
Sometimes, chemical products need to be used to control "weeds." Corn gluten meal does a good job on many as a pre-emergent, but not enough. Vinegar works as a topkiller (and occasional root killer). Sometimes other means need to be applied at least until the major problems are reduced to an "organic level" where manual or non-offensive methods can be used.
Now, having said this, some of the major problems may occur on adjacent properties. If the adjacent properties donÂt control the problem, then either pre-emergent chemicals or another post-emergent chemical is the only answer as the problem reoccurs.
Personally, I am for the LEAST amount of man made products being applied to "weeds" to gain the minimal amount of control that is necessary to appease the property owner.
Yes, you have to know the weed. You should also research the least environmentally offensive products to use. This forum, however, looks to those of us that know for the best advice. I try to give my advice in the manor stated.
I know that you were speaking with frustration when you made your comment. Grin and bear it  do the best you can do when giving your professional advice!
Hortster

"do the best you can do when giving your professional advice" Mine is always only semi-pro or wrong.

But thanks.

A "weed" is simply a plant growing where you do not want it. The simplest, easiest way to control "weed" growth is to mulch, not sterilize the soil. Next is to understand what conditions this "weed" prefer to grow in since many do prefer certain soils and most often fixing the soil problem will help greatly.
Spraying poisons, the that will kill other things, is not necessary and is contributing greatly to the problems out planet is experienceing today. We are killing our only home, this planet earth, poisoning the water we need to exist as well as the air we need to breath.