The "unpaid" volunteer in question was raking in $100 per attempt for an arguably impossible task. That unquestionably moves the situation from a bounty/prize to a gambling house taking rigged bets and it's pretty clear by his language in the emails that he took pleasure in his position. How many fools did he part from their money before getting one upped by Patrick? And how did he act when he finally realized he wasn't as clever as he thought?
I'd agree that if this was a free entry situation he'd be fully within his rights turning down trolls, rules lawyers, etc. for the same reasons you mentioned. Trying to scam a well intentioned but naive bounty post would be sad behavior. But this guy was clearly taking money on a position he never intended to pay out on and not losing any sleep over it.
I'd agree that if this was a free entry situation he'd be fully within his rights turning down trolls, rules lawyers, etc. for the same reasons you mentioned. Trying to scam a well intentioned but naive bounty post would be sad behavior. But this guy was clearly taking money on a position he never intended to pay out on and not losing any sleep over it.