I hope that we don't scare you off too soon, because there are lots of other good things to read on this site. http://lesswrong.com/lw/qk/that_alien_message/ is probably my favorite single post.

I think that the best or at least easiest to read introduction to the values of this site is Eliezer's novella length work of fiction, Three Worlds Collide. http://lesswrong.com/lw/y4/three_worlds_collide_08/