I think we're talking past each other and don't actually disagree. To clarify my last post: I don't approve of what Aaronson did. I think it was a dumb thing to say and (assuming my hypothesis is correct that he did it out of frustration at constantly being pestered to comment on CS news) he instead should've cooled off and, as you say, taken option 3. I think he was aiming his statements at his fans, not academia, and in his frustration forgot that there's no such thing anymore as a message only directed at one group.

I just want the problem with his behavior to be accurately diagnosed, because I think (again, I could be wrong) the solution is "better manage your temper with your non-academia fans" and not "rethink your relationship with other academics".