One of HE’s antagonists wrote the following in late September (edited): “I’m not going to share the whole story of how I came to believe I should write this to you. Suffice that I’m undergoing some serious harassment from a former friend and it’s not pleasant. Shoe having been on the other foot, I’ve experienced some clarity.
“Whatever [the motivation, my psychology has] compelled me to act in ways that are unacceptable, both professionally and personally.
“So I’m apologizing, again. And I know you won’t trust it and I do not blame you. I will continue to find a good number of your opinions exasperating, but I’ll try in the future to make a point of not making a point of it. I just wanted to apologize for real and let you know that from hereon in I’ll be making a genuine effort not to make any more trouble for you.”
HE reply [same day]: “Was this written by a humanoid seed pod from Don Siegel’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers?
“You’ve now sent three emails saying ‘I’ve been a toxic dick and I’m sorry’…right? One seven or eight years ago, and then another (or so I recall) and now this one. It’s a pattern.
“This isn’t real unless you post it on Twitter. Maybe it’ll start something. Maybe some of the other battery-acid Robespierre haters will read it and think ‘hmm, maybe I should ease up on my own anti-HE bullshit.’
“Go to Twitter and it’s real. Keep it private and it’s not. Only a fool would presume otherwise.”
HE antagonist back to HE, the same day: “Your proposition interests me. [Perhaps] a proclamation of principles as applied to my treatment of you might be in order. I shall give it serious consideration.”