Given that mcphage understands what Peano arithmetic is, I find it entirely unbelievable that he/she did not understand my point especially with phrases of mine like "Unless you're making use of limits, completeness, or something equivalent". So yes in this case I honestly find the pedantry entirely unhelpful.

Regardless, the point has been clarified, but discussing it further is kind of pointless.

edit: It just occurred to me that the original pedantic comment essentially breaks the following Hacker News guideline:

Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith.

I just found it a bit interesting considering it is my response complaining about the pedantry and not the pedantry that is receiving downvotes.