It's not so much that we "hate" Elizer, like Aljik suggests, it's just that on the whole - compared to the many mindblowing authors mentioned in this thread - Elizer just isn't particularly outstanding. Someone has to say it, lest anyone reading this for the first time gets the wrong impression.
Anyone's welcome to still read him, for all we care, but you may as well be getting your philosophy education from Cosmopolitan.
Of course, but I'd qualify this a bit. If you are in a life situation where you feel alone or in need of a community, you feel you're not included enough, or feel "smarter" and more reflective than your environment, then spending time at LW can amplify your smugness and stroke your ego to the point of not noticing what you are turning into. I saw many people there with milder psychological problems. Really, a psychologist would probably have an interesting time analyzing the "life advice/coaching/coping" parts of that forum.
However, if you're living a balanced, good life, reading this stuff won't matter much. It's similar in many ideologies. If you're in a receptive situation, then Scientology, or Reddit's Redpill, or basically any elitist, enlightening type of subculture along the lines of "you now understand what it all really is about" can be harmful.
Sorry what? You have to say that isn't outstanding, unless some one gets the impression he is?
Maybe this is crazy idea, but if Elizier wasn't outstanding... wouldn't that be something people would figure out for themselves? On the otherhand if people are reading his works, and walking away with the impression that he is outstanding, couldn't it simply be that it is? And even so, who are you to say that is wrong?
On the other hand, if there really are authors who write about similar things,but better than Yudkowsky I would be interested in reading (I haven't found any).
So, since you claim to know of such things, could you pick something Yudkowsky has written about and name me another who does it better?
I am some random anon posting their views on the internet, as is every other person here. It's called having a conversation.
"So, since you claim to know of such things, could you pick something Yudkowsky has written about and name me another who does it better?"
Yes, I could. But since you've so far been a total arrogant assface, and since your tone implies that - rather than a genuine interest - you simply want to bait me into a further argument so you can show off how much you're in love with Elizer... I'm going to pass. Do your own research if you're so "interested".
For a conversation you being pretty insulting. But, no, contrary to your assumption its actual curiosity.
If you are worried about this argument continuing if you refer me to such works, I promise not discuss them if you post them.