how the hell do I figure out optimal settings?
You start with the starter settings from the forum, look back some & you'll find them.
Then start making small adjustments to that if you like.
Email Pablo with any questions you have & he's always happy to help.
I'm more looking for a what do the settings mean, what do I read to learn about the methods they use, how do I make my ownd ecisions about said settings without blindly following someone else's opinion.
It sounds like you're looking for Goombo's Journal, that the app is based on. If I remember correctly there's a link to it on the Butter-Bot website, but I know it was mentioned in the forums somewhat recently. Look for links to that, it goes into settings & theory.