The Wikipedia link is the reference I intended. "Captain Obvious" refers to the one in a group or conversation who states what everyone else knows, and as such impedes the group's progression toward their shared goals.

Thanks, HN user "douche", you nailed it.

Strange to me how folk wisdom is so unwelcome in a philosophy discussion. While not explicitly stated, the subtext appears to be putting my comment as the "Captain Obvious." I'll avoid commenting in this context in the future.