bootzie: I'm with you. I haven't read Yudkowsky, but I have occasionally read interesting stuff on SSC. You say this:

I have a sense that being versed in the predictable biases of human cognition is useful only as a soft or secondary skill.

Point 1: Being versed in biases of our own cognition is very very useful. Our biases lead us to all kinds of dangerous, relationship-destroying assumptions. I don't want to get into a spitting match with kb, but the link that he called "this shit" - has some important and useful biases to be aware of. Knowing our biases might not help us win an argument, but it will help us avoid a shitload of arguments that we don't need to get into in the first place.

Point 2:

I think humility is security, and can be dead sexy. I can't point to it and say that's why I get laid, but it I think it plays a role.

Wow, you are so right about this. Why? because if you don't assume that you know everything, you have a chance to learn stuff. You can ask your lover what she or he likes - you need humility to even ask.

So awareness of cognitive biases is good. It's probably reasonable to assume that everything we think and do is a result of biases learned from our culture and society. Everything needs to be questioned. "Why do we believe what we believe?" What biases lead us to believe it?

I've been quietly wondering what Kool-Aid I am drinking? My definition of Kool-Aid: a sweet sugary drink that will kill you.