But to the common observer, it doesn't look that way. The whole thing has an artificial feel. I was going to make a quick sketch of what I think would be a better idea, but found something better that is already in use. Try to implement something like this.

Replace the educational promotion-type information with excerpts or short summaries from research papers. Especially things that will raise interest in the topic, with "read more" links that link to more of that research paper. Pictures should have warm colors and look natural, not staged.

Highlight Singularity Summits, with videos and/or pictures (preferably both) to show that you're actually doing something. Put a lot of focus on how active the community is (not by typing "our community is active!" but by having pictures of rationality camps, singularity summits, and your members discussing things.) Again, emphasis on warm colors. this is good, this is not. They are wearing the same shirt. They are staging "Hmm!" faces. It doesn't read well.

Increase the contrast of the type.

Get rid of the faux-reflective surfaces. It, again, reads as amateurish.

edit forgot to add: Videos and other rich media should have links from the front page. The two videos from the singularity summit took too long to find.