That sound more like software pseudo-engineering to me.

A bit like we should trust RFK on how "vaccines don't work" thanks to his wide experience?

The idea here is not to say that antirez has no knowledge about coding or software engineering, the idea was that if he says "hey we have the facts", and then when people ask "okay, show us the fact" he says: "just download claude code and play with it one hour and you have the facts" we don't trust that, that's not science

That's a great example in support of my argument here, because RFK Jr clearly has no relevant experience at all - so "figuring out, based on prior reputation and performance, who you should trust" should lead you to not listen to a word he says.

Well guess what, a lot of people will "trust him" because he is a "figure of power" (he's a minister of the current administration). So that's exactly why "authority arguments" are bad... and we should rely on science and studies

It is a useful skill. But regardless of the theme at hand there is also

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

People change all the time, and things need to be reevaluated from time to time.

So another skill is to disengage with our heroes when the values start misalign.