[comice]

It is very clear he wanted to be left alone. It is hugely egotistical to think that your article would be the one he'd need to know about. The one he'd be happy to comment on.

I think that's what this is really about - getting some kind of quote from _why would have been killer for this article. Getting "word back-channeled" to you at all is pretty exciting in itself, if it's even true.

Like I say, is it very clear he wanted to be left alone but there were eyeballs to show adverts to, so you persisted. Let's not pretend it's anything different.