Yes, he clarified. He wants people who are writing comments in good faith to show more intent (
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33623956)
I read that exchange and I knew exactly what the first comment meant and didn't have to read the longer explanation. I've been on the internet for 30+ years and have learned how to have subtle and enjoyable conversations and how to extract the meaning and feeling behind short comments. I don't want this site to be pages and pages of pages-long comments saying little.