[jimrandomh]

> His casual dismissing of the mainstream can become your style as well, and you can feel you become part of something special, something that transcends most people's levels. It's really not unlike Scientology.

Um. You might want to read up on what Scientology is; they're not even remotely in the same league. For example, Yudkowsky has never been accused of war crimes. Also, his brainwashing technique seems to be a bunch of essays, rather than, say, a biofeedback device coupled with personalized verbal abuse and a systematic dismantling of peoples' personal relationships.

[johann28]

The becoming part of a special in-crowd who will save the world is the similarity. Not the torture and crimes of course. I've seen and read quite a lot about Scientology, but you are right that they are nowhere near the same league. Scientology is a massive and extremely rich bunch, who do some very bad things on purpose.