If you're commenting about a remarkably clever example of an obscure topic which requires prolonged study to understand, then yes I'd suggest that a background in _______ is somehow table stakes for commenting on a focused discussion of _______ on HN.
"Toy examples" are often the result of long & deep study and practice of a subject, creating something profound which casual observers are not entitled to instantly understand. In this case, it's a very clever compiler: everybody understands this summary, and if you want "a few contextual comments" beyond the source code itself then you know where to get enough information to learn what you need to understand this.
If you don't "get it", and don't want to "get it" on your own, it's not for you.
"Toy examples" are often the result of long & deep study and practice of a subject, creating something profound which casual observers are not entitled to instantly understand. In this case, it's a very clever compiler: everybody understands this summary, and if you want "a few contextual comments" beyond the source code itself then you know where to get enough information to learn what you need to understand this.
If you don't "get it", and don't want to "get it" on your own, it's not for you.