Earlier quoted context omitted.
I find there are generally two reasons people use analogies. The first is to make a concept easier to understand. The second is to subtly change what is being argued in order to make their position seem stronger. I did the second for years without realizing what I was doing, and still fall into the trap.
Or the third to to illustrate the argument in another context. I usually avoid analogies of HN as you are often called out on the technicalities of them. And you are right that can often damage an argument. However, I have argued that changing peoples behaviour, even when their current behaviour is bad for them, is often impossible despite all evidence, from the beginning.
This is still case 1.
I actually agree with you that some people with bad security habits will never change their behavior, but do you really feel that someone using passwords in a notebook because that's what they're comfortable with is in the same class of behavior as someone addicted to nicotine?
Feel free to have the last word here. 1 on 1 HN threads more than 3 deep rarely result in productive conversation. Cheers