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Comment by code_duck | Hacker News Reader

> Where there are hot springs, there are happy, relaxed locals.

Some people feel they work better and are more motivated when they're not in a state of happy relaxation. Comfortable and focused perhaps.

> "Reaching down and turning a knob, then telling yourself that you're building character? Odd."

The detail that is important is not the knob, but the endurance of a blast of cold water. (Note: the following is a ridiculous stretch) Saying the issue is 'turning a knob' reminds me of pundits and Senators saying that waterboarding is "pouring water over someone's nose". Standing under coldish water on purpose is a spartan message to your subconscious.

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Some people feel they work better and are more motivated when they're not in a state of happy relaxation. Comfortable and focused perhaps.

I don't work in the shower.

The detail that is important is not the knob, but the endurance of a blast of cold water.

I believe that you have missed my point. Turning a knob, over which you have complete control, really isn't subjecting yourself to anything meaningful. You're not pushing your limits. You're doing silly things and calling it personal progress.

Go climb a mountain. Or even a challenging rock. Commit to a period of time living in a developing nation, or any place drastically different from your home. Join the Navy SEALs. Do not, however, turn the shower tap to 'cold' and then blog about how you're growing as a person as a result of it.

  >> Some people feel they work better and are more motivated when they're
  >> not in a state of happy relaxation. Comfortable and focused perhaps.
  > 
  > I don't work in the shower.

No offense, but that response just makes you come off like a dick. Do you really think that he's implying that you work in the shower?

  > Turning a knob, over which you have complete control, really isn't
  > subjecting yourself to anything meaningful.

  > Go climb a mountain. Or even a challenging rock.

Don't you have control over those too? You can turn back at any point.

No offense, but that response just makes you come off like a dick. Do you really think that he's implying that you work in the shower?

The opposite interpretation is that one is perpetually showering/tubbing in order to be in a state of relaxation. That is equally absurd.

You can turn back at any point.

That depends entirely on the situation. There are plenty of ways to climb, backpack, etc. where one has no choice but to continue. Less ridiculous climbing may involve social pressure to stay committed. Furthermore, all of these activities involve, as has been said elsewhere, real personal gain: strength, health, mental well-being, and real life experiences. Getting yourself chilly for five minutes in the morning is just playing around.

You sound like someone that is afraid of cold water - if it seems so easy an puerile to you; why don't you try it.

Holy shit that's the worst reasoning I've seen here in a while. How about no, because, as the OP said, it does nothing meaningful, likewise with "proving I'm not afraid of cold water to a random dude on HN".

Can you think of a true story of someone saving a person from icy water (something meaningful) and saying as the defining point "Yeah, I totally bitch-slapped that cold water since I'M A MAN."? Hollywood likes to use it as a cheap 'challenge to overcome' (again though with the meaningful goal of advancing the plot), but that's not how it works in real life.

Edit: you argued elsewhere that it could be a 'tree in a forest'. Maybe in general. But not in this specific case. Cold water for a few minutes in the morning is not even a sprout.

Interesting analysis grasshopper. I have noticed though that you and many others assailing this idea offer no path or insight of your own to develop character. Just meaningless statements such as, "but that's not how it works in real life." SO wise one, please tell us how it works in "REAL LIFE".

I work in the shower. Great place for thinking.

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