Blocking isn't cruel, what he is doing is undoubtedly annoying so if that is a solution don't rule it out. You could either ask him to calm it down or just respond to him less and if he persists, don't think you need to be polite about it. It's the internet, it's pretty rare for anyone to care about someone else on here, so good on your for wanting to sort it out, but if he doesn't back down, make him.
That's both cyber and real life advice.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.