Is it normal to live wilfully in abject squalor?

It's not common to live that way, and it's indicative of mental illness. I don't think it's anything to do with class whatsoever, and I don't quite know why you suspected it might be.

A dead bird nailed to the wall?? She musta been oh so fine and he got way too excited. That bastard!

Maggots??? Now I'm hungry.

Your friend, gross, lazy slob.

In Britain, every issue relates to class. It is all pervasive.

This is not normal but where is the line between eccentricity and neurosis if there even is a line. I have always felt sympathy for people who live like this because I had an aunt who lived in a house she had converted into a complex warren. She felt safe living this way, asked nothing in the way of entitlements and while happy to see us, was just as happy to be alone for days - weeks - months at a time. She died of natural causes in her sleep.

Sounds like he needs help. He must be suffering from some kind of mental illness.

Leave me alone already.

Sounds like he as given up. Us men (notice I did not use the term "guys") would probably not shower and shave and worry about cleanliness as much if we didn't care what others think. For some reason he doesn't want his home to look presentable for people he enjoys to come over and hang out. Instead of getting in touch with all these recommended "state" agencies, maybe you could see what you can do. I mean like finding out WHY it isn't important to him and go from there.

It sounds like he's been developing a mental illness. Try voicing your concerns to his brothers or the college's therapist.

There's a thing called squalor syndrome.

Perfectly normal. Now I must go and dust my dead bird that I nailed to the wall...

Maggots are full of protein, stop hating.

No definitely not normal.

It's one thing to be messy, having soda cans lying around, and plates and what not. It's another thing entirely to have a dead bird nailed to your wall, and your food filled with maggots.

He doesn't seem to 'have' anything in the way of mental illness. Like I said, he is highly educated and intelligent. He is also quite happy living that way. It is like he has not been properly civilized. It occurs to me that he might be rebelling against his background or his family, or something.

Sounds like he needs some help. You should see if you can get someone to come see him. There're adult protective services that proxy the mentally ill. If he gets the help he needs medicine, help cleaning and organizing his home, counseling, etc., he should be just fine. But you have to take that step and report that he needs the help, otherwise maybe no one else will, and he may stay in that situation for his entire life.

Also the way he is living now, he is facing a lot of health risks, on top of whatever mental illness he may have! So please, take that step and help him!

You may be able to do it anonymously, but I don't know. If he does find out it was you, will be quite mad for a while, but in the long run you are doing it because you care about him!

You and him will be in my prayers.

God Bless You and Yours!

He's mentally ill. Since you didn't list any other specific, odd things he says or does one can only speculate what he might have.

He's a waster plain and simple.

The bird was a beautiful hawk. However, he found her dead in the countryside. He has no guns or anything like that.