@Adam3 and
@KenC I have to admit your message amongst the fervor was a motivating factor in posting this during the workday
Sorry about the moisture accumulation, I can come back and add more photos if useful, but here are a couple prime examples (paint pun not intended?) of the damage. One example from the hood. One example from on the door near the window.
Will happily respond to other comments some other time soon! In short, I appreciate the condolences from some and to the rest, I'm glad I could give a sense of catharsis in reveling in my ignorance
Earlier on in life, I saw metal ice scrapers and plastic ice scrapers and made the reasonable conclusion one was more dangerous than the other and must have thus underestimated the danger of the lesser (having not been visibly affected by it for the last 16 years or so of winter driving.
But yes, PSA, please clean your cars off appropriately for the safety of others (and with the right tools for the safety of your vehicle's exterior).