SI should be considered a cult-like community in which dissent is ruthlessly suppressed in order to exaggerate the point of view of SI's founders and controllers, regardless of the scientific merits of those views, or of the dissenting opinions.

Obligatory link: You're Calling Who a Cult Leader?

Also, your impression might be different if you had witnessed the long, deep, and ongoing disagreements between Eliezer and I about several issues fundamental to SI — all while Eliezer suggested that I be made Executive Director and then continued to support me in that role.

Can you give an example of what you mean by "abusive personal attacks"?