To reference or not to reference?

[mutantB]

Thanks for all the input, guys!
The Gurney link was actually very helpful.

I think my problem is kind of like Simonarpalmer's where I always came with this 'purist' view about reference.

But I suppose that Gurney's arguments are very close to what I was imagining. I feel a bit more at ease now, I guess =)
I just need to make sure my energy and ideas come out first and then bring various references instead of one single, and make something new from it.