You're just going to have to nut up, lay down the law and take control of the situation. Realize that in this situation YOU are the superior being. YOU have your s**t together and YOU have what he wants and needs.
That really sucks. I heard a manners "expert" once say that the best way to say no is to just say, "I'm really sorry, wish I could help out, but I just can't do it" If they ask why, repeat, I just can't do it. That has worked really well for me.
You kind of put it on yourself and you don't have to have an awkward conversation.
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.