[redprince]

> yet have never discharged static electricity through any one of my personal circuits

How would you know unless you took precautions? Static electricity doesn't necessarily make itself obvious by arcing, yet the voltage can be high enough to damage sensitive components.

Also damage sometimes isn't obvious in the sense that that a component or circuit is killed outright. Instability, reduced lifetime and increased susceptibility to future ESD events are other known consequences of electrostatic discharges.

For more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkECJlA2Fg4