I hope that it isn't against HN guidelines to create a throwaway for things like this.

I don't feel safe posting a link like this under my main account. This article is really scary.

It sounds like this guy was legitimately trying to be both supportive, and delicate in his approach. Reading through his emails makes me wonder "am I the problem?"

I hope not! But according to this post I shouldn't even be allowed to ask that question!

Yikes! :-(