[elects]

I think it's very likely that Gautama was sitting under a tree thinking about it when it struck him

I don't quite get where you stand so let me ask you again. Do you think it is possible, according to your knowledge of Dhamma, that a person can realize nibbaha just by thinking about not-self and logically analyzing what it is?

As for the rest of your answers, I repeatedly said my answers are based on what I have read and not my personal experiences. I did not make any personal statements. I agree with verifying what you have learned with direct experience. But, unless either one of us is enlightened, we both should be speaking of knowledge and not direct experience. This is perfectly fine for me. I don't have a problem with that

Discussion is not always hair-splitting, but if you feel that that's what I'm doing...

I don't know. You were the one who brought up something about not liking "hair-splitting debates" lol