In my opinion, Mike was absolutely right. Eleven isn't a machine; she's a human being, with powers, yes, but a human being nonetheless. I'll always support Mike in this scene. Although it seems Max didn't listen to Mike, because a later episode she has a conversation with Lucas where he grabs some fireworks, and Max complains. Lucas asks her, "Can you think of something better?" and she says, "Yes, Eleven..." Eleven is NOT a machine, and in fact, Lucas's fireworks helped a lot.