I consider asc. in terms of personality, while the sun is our identity.

Personality and identity are overlapping but distinct constructs. Personality refers to an individual's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, captured by traits, and is crucial for everyday psychological functioning. Identity, on the other hand, involves defining oneself as both unique and similar to others, within the social context.

I think Astrophilus provided an important perspective that in certain high-latitude regions, the ascendant and rising sign becomes less significant.

However, I remember that when Guido Bonatti was asked why the emphasis is on the Northern Hemisphere, he said it is because most people live in the Northern Hemisphere, which contains the majority of the world's landmass.

Similarly, because most people live in the mid to low latitudes, traditional astrology developed primarily in these regions, based on the astronomical observations and experiences from these areas. (Most of the world's population lives between the latitudes of 20°N and 40°N, which includes many of the world's densely populated areas and major cities.)

Until a better solution comes along, I'll grudgingly stick with the ascendant.

I tend to see the asc and it's ruler to an individuals life path and the sun to their core personality. I may have a simplistic view of this though