What is trading all about?

A good friend and great mentor of mine opened my eyes to the fact that trading and investing is not just about where to buy and where to sell. It is much more than that, it is about knowing WHAT you are buying and selling and understanding where you stand in terms of the food chain of traders/investors out there. Once I realised this fact, everything started to click.

Where are you on the food chain? AND what is your weapon of choice? (market or product that you trade/invest in)