AI reading of Harry Potter And The Methods Of Rationality Is A Disney Movie About A Serial Killer, By WSCFriedman.
In this essay, WSCFriedman responds to Alexander Wales’s critique of Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, the celebrated rationalist fanfiction novel by Eliezer Yudkowsky. While acknowledging the work has legitimate flaws worth discussing, Friedman argues that Wales fundamentally misreads the story’s structure—specifically the claim that its main plot doesn’t begin until late in the narrative. Through four complementary lenses, Friedman makes the case that HPMoR has a clear, unified plot established from nearly the beginning, one that draws on classic storytelling archetypes while weaving together character growth, philosophical conflict, and the tension between competing worldviews. This is a piece for readers who already know the story well; newcomers should experience the novel first before diving into this detailed structural analysis.
00:00 - Introduction
04:40 - 1. Be Careful What You Wish For
11:48 - 2. The Moral Of The Story Is...?
16:18 - 3. Hannibal, But With Kids!
23:28 - 4: The Siege of the Soul
33:47 - So, do you think you know what the elephant looks like? Any other good lenses I’ve missed?
