I pretty much agree with your characterisation of LessWrong (and i think Yudkowsky is a complete waste of time), but i found SSC to be much better. Part of the same scene, but much closer to reality. I wouldn't write off SSC for LW's failings.
Unrelatedly, i think your description also applies to modern Continental philosophy / critical theory - it's far more a game to prove who has the biggest brain than it is a real attempt to do anything useful.
