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Comment by AznHisoka | Hacker News Reader

Being consistent means learning new habits. You might require some self discipline initially, but as time goes along, it becomes a habit and you don't need as much discipline, especially when you start to see tangible progress. So I can see why he would be anal about it.

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I can testify to this, I have pretty low self-discipline in the sense that I find it very hard to force myself to do something I don't want to do. When I do manage to build a habit or a routine though, I find it pretty easy to stick to it.

It's not even being anal, if I was telling someone I love tangerines and they tell me that's awesome, oranges are really good for you... I'd be a little baffled I suppose.

I really love how the author complains about the other missing the bigger picture, when there's a bigger picture they themselves are oblivious to: the ideas in your head are really awesome and all, but if you don't learn how to use language properly to communicate them then they're useless to everyone else.

But what you've described is almost the textbook definition of discipline.

"calm controlled behavior: the ability to behave in a controlled and calm way even in a difficult or stressful situation"

The pedant was able to create new habits that allowed him to be controlled and stick to a routine even in the presence of stimuli that would cause him to no longer exibit this control.

The term consistency, when applied to human behavior, is almost always a form of discipline -- except when it comes to certain bodily functions... like heartbeat or going to the bathroom.

I think the distinction is between the need to use willpower and our logical/rational abilities vs. not needing to use it. The Rational Rider vs. The Elephant/Lizard Brain. When we make something a habit, it just naturally becomes a normal behavior.

When we need to use discipline, we need to use self control in order to fight against a natural instinct that's more pleasurable. Of course, there's always a combination of the 2 that's needed, but habits generally rely on learning new behaviors that become natural.

But if you're being pedantic, discipline usually isn't defined with respect to willpower. It's defined with respect to control.

To be clearer -- consistency and discipline aren't exactly the same, but you get consistency in human behavior via discipline.

Technically the original poster was correct. What the pedant did required discipline. The pedant saying that it wasn't discipline was actually not even technically correct. By attempting to be pedantic he actually said something that wasn't even technically true.

Now what you're saying is that there is some other behavior that might be implied by the term discipline, which is a prolonged test of willpower. This technically is not in any definition of discipline I've seen.

I'd argue that if you're going to be a pedant, you at least need to be right.

Self control and willpower goes hand in hand. What else are you using to control yourself? I'm not sure what definition of discipline you are referring to, otherwise. In any case if I'm using your definition, then there's no sense in arguing, the argument wouldn't be interesting anyway.

Your comment is a perfect example of this author was saying. The point of the post had nothing to do with the definition of self discipline or consistency. The point was that his friend was, as you say, being anal about this. There's no reason to be hung up on definitions in that case at all. They were both very obviously meaning the same thing and in contex it made total sense no matter what word you choose as correct. When I say you're a perfect example, I'm not trying to be insulting so please don't be offended. I'm just pointing it out. Can you see it?

Yes, I see the point. You're right, you're 100% right. It's all about ego satisfaction. Your response was even a better example :)

Wow, I didn't even realize it. I guess the lesson is we should all stop commenting as none of seem to be able to cut it out. It's funny how you can be totally well meaning and believe you're above it all yet somehow fall into the same trap you strive to avoid. Like me!

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