[edit: I did not downvote anyone in this thread.]

You're claiming to have status and authority to make a particular claim about reality

I am? Is that how we are evaluating claims now?

Here is how this conversation played out (roughly paraphrased):

me: EY has a big ego.

Viliam: I wish you would stop digging up people's youthful indiscretions like that. Why not go do impressive things instead, why be a hater?

me: EY wasn't young in the time period involved. Also, I have my own stuff going on, thanks! Also, I think this EY dynamic isn't healthy.

you: Argument from status!

me: Don't really want status here, have my own already.

you: You are claiming status by signaling you don't want/need status here! And then using that to make claims!

(At this point if I claim status I lose, and if I don't claim status I also lose.)

Well, look. Grandiose dimensions of EY's ego are not a secret to anyone who actually knows him, I don't think. I think slatestar even wrote something about that.

If you don't think I am being straight with you, and I am playing some unstated game, that's ok. If you have time and inclination, you can dig around my post history and try to figure that out if you care. I would be curious what you find.

I think it is fair to call myself an outsider. I don't self-identify as rationalist, and I don't get any sort of emotional reaction when people attack rationalists (which is how you know what your tribe is). I don't think rationalists are evil mutants, but I think unhealthy things are going on in this community. You can listen to people like me, or not. I think you should, but ultimately your beliefs are your own business. I am not going to spend a ton of energy convincing you.