I think my original post's point is pretty simple and there is no need to make it sound so complicated. Wearing high visibility clothing makes you easier to be seen. The fact that some can still fail to see you does not invalidate the point.
No, your original statement implied that those wearing helmets but not hi-viz were not riding as safe as you. That's an assumption on your part, one that is probably false. Also, you stated that no motorist could fail to see you because you wear hi-viz clothing. Which is also incorrect.
Wearing a helmet can help in some few crash situations and lead to greater safety. Wearing hi-viz clothing can help with visibility, and being seen by drivers leads to greater safety.
Neither a helmet nor hi-viz clothing is some kind of safety magic bullet. Both may lead to greater safety, but there's no way to really compare or contrast the two. Both may help regarding a riders holistic personal safety protocol, but both could also be worn by a patently unsafe cyclist.
Your smug, self-congratulatory pat on the back for being safer than those with helmets, but who were not dressed like a highway worker, was not warranted.