It may be more useful to ask actual critics what they think (rather than asking proponents what they think critics are trying to say). Robin Hanson criticizes foom here. I don't actually know what he thinks of MIRI.
Correct, I've been pursuing that as well.
I'm giving a talk to the Boulder Future Salon in Boulder, Colorado in a few weeks on the Intelligence Explosion hypothesis. I've given it once before in Korea but I think the crowd I'm addressing will be more savvy than the last one (many of them have met Eliezer personally). It could end up being important, so I was wondering if anyone considers themselves especially capable of playing Devil's Advocate so I could shape up a bit before my talk? I'd like there to be no real surprises.
I'd be up for just messaging back and forth or skyping, whatever is convenient.