Traveller wrote:
Musicman, do you interact with Mike on a frequent enough basis to have noticed if this is weighing on him, or altered his personality? Not trying to get you to reveal yourself; I am just curious, from a psychological standpoint, what the guy is like in 'real life.'
I have distanced myself since the summer and have run into him a few times since. I was courteous and kept the conversations short. As I mentioned before, I wish him well but he's not the kind of guy who would take constructive criticism very well, so I never felt it was in my place to give him advice. I want to say he's not a terrible guy, could come off as a douche for sure and a little abrasive, but any positive opinion has changed after observing his response and demeanor since this whole thing blew up. There was a specific incident but I can't comment further. I think it's at times like this that someone's character really shows.
From third party input - he's become a mix of more quiet, very defensive and more volatile, showing the typical signs of someone who is dishonest. The previously childish Twitter posts have been taken to a whole new level as you all know. Knowing how much everything on the surface maters to him, I'd say this was a direct hit to his identity. I don't know what he's thinking, but whatever he's doing is not working.