Stand development - can someone explain to a thick newbie?

Try reading this thread. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Try NOT to think in terms of more or greater sharpness. Rather think in terms of controlling micro contrast regardless of what overall contrast is present.

The high and low values in any print are controlled by the extremes of each end of the negative density. What happens to the mid tones and how they relate to one another will ultimately dictate the feel (success) of the image.