For what it's worth, I've met him, and he's very nice in person. He seems to genuinely enjoy talking with strangers about topics of mutual interest. I've met s

For what it's worth, I've met him, and he's very nice in person. He seems to genuinely enjoy talking with strangers about topics of mutual interest. I've met several academics / ideological celebrities who were indeed insufferable. It's hard to determine this solely from someone's writing.