More on Hobgoblins

Hobgoblins, related to Brownies, come after you are asleep and do chores for you (like dusting!)if you leave food for them. If you leave clothing for them, they never visit you again. They are similar in stature to Brownies, but they are very fond of mischief and pranks, not nearly as peaceful as Brownies are. The big mean scary hobgoblins came about largely due to a mis-nomenclature by Tolkien. Realizing his mistake he later renamed his characters but it was too late. So post-Tolkien many hobgoblins are portrayed as larger and meaner goblins.

Of course, due to Emerson's use of the term it has come to mean anything imaginative or superstitious that results in unnecessary fear. All of this I learn from Wikipedia. So if you want to go there to learn more...yeah. However, I am more concerned with all this means to me.

If consistency is a hobgoblin (pre-Tolkien/pre-Emerson), then it serves a purpose but causes mischief along the way. The important thing is to live harmoniously with it, not fear it too much, and get used to its pranks.

If consistency is a hobgoblin (post-Tolkien), then there is real reason to fear and avoid it.

If consistency is a hobgoblin (post-Emerson), then it preys on our minds through causing fear.

Is it possible that once, a long time ago, it was possible to live harmoniously with consistency/hobgoblins, but as time passed and communication was more rampant it became impossible to live safely and peaceably with?
Is the transformation of the hobgoblin in literature, analogous with the transformation of the idea of consistency?

At any rate, I like to think of consistency as the small quiet hobgoblin that sneaks in with a twinkle in its eye and whispers doubts into my ear "are you sure that is consistent with who you were yesterday" or more importantly "are you sure that is consistent with what people have come to expect from you". If I ignore it for long enough it goes and sweeps out the cobwebs and dusts the lamps and everything is clearer in the morning.