Jikan wrote:It [Jeepers post] is pithy and not at all illogical.
I think it could only be interpreted as pithy by those who agree with the assumptions and implied value judgement. It's not possible for Jeepers to know that anyone, except for maybe himself, would prefer discussing this topic a great deal more than Buddhism
itself.
jeeprs is saying that you seem more interested in discussing trolling on internet discussion boards inclusive of boards that discuss Buddhism, rather than discussing Buddhism. (that's what I take to jeeprs to mean by "Buddhism as such," as distinct from meta-commentary on trolling &c). That's the first line.
He did not say "seem" but said it as though stating a fact.
I suppose he may have used the phrase
"Buddhism as such" to frame the discussion as a meta-commentary of Buddhist discussions, but it's not a meta-commentary of Buddhist discussions or forums. It's simply a discussion about online trolling, primarily.
"Hence the thread" means that this thread reflects your interest in such meta-commentary. In this context, this comment is wholly logical. It follows directly from the first premise.
Again, Jeepers could not possibly know what my preferences are. I might prefer to discuss Buddhism, or I might have only a marginal preference for this topic at any time.
I believe the intended implication is that there's no actual interest in Buddhism (
"would much rather be discussing" other things like trolling), which is an essential characteristic of trolling, having no real interest in a subject of discussion.
And you think that's pithy?
"I won't bother you further" means jeeprs wishes to express a disinterest in such discussion, implying instead that he or she would prefer to discuss Buddhism...
He did not express disinterest. He claimed that a great deal of interest in topics like this, which are not specifically related to Buddhism, leads to topics like this. The topic has interested him, obviously, but if he were to participate further he would himself fall under the pithy implication mentioned above. Couldn't have that.
I haven't seen anything so far in this thread to dissuade me from the view that jeeprs & Simon E are on the right track here.
Well it is in the lounge section of the forum. That might suggest the degree of Buddhist piety intended.