Don't think Eliezer meant to say that the scientific method isn't awesome for optimizing a truthful view of reality.

The scientific method has it's uses, just as the court system has it's uses. They both, however, rely on throwing out certain kinds of evidence. And one can't always afford to ignore said evidence in practice.

For 1, not sure what the disadvantage you see here ... okay ignorant opinions are bountiful. So we should join the club or they'll .... what?

For policy on the basis of their wrong ideas.

For 2, if the alternative is to form a strong a opinion without data because someone made it too much work for you to care that much, then they've manipulated you more than if you hold no opinion at all ... what am I missing?

I didn't say one shouldn't use any data. Simply that one doesn't have to read the bill to form an opinion about it.

Here are some hints:

Didn't read the holy book (either your own or the enemy's religion). =/= having no data about it

Didn't read the bill. =/= having no data about it

Read no articles from climate science journals. =/= having no data about it