Is inadvertant contact on a force still interference?

[bob jenkins]

Why is there both 8-4-2b and 8-4-2f?

Why does 8-4-2b contain the "on a force, does not slide in a direct line.."? That's already included in the definition of illegal slide.

Does the phrase "a runner is never required to slide" mean that "a runner who doesn't slide" is always legal?

Why was the case play where R1 is in the basepath but is hit by a throw from F4/6 toward first removed? The case ruled the play legal, but R1 was "less than 1/2 way to second." Is the distance important?

I've often found this whole section of the rule confusing -- and we've had these same discussions since the discovery of the interwebs. Still, no clarification from FED.