The one where I try to convince you to read a “Harry Potter” fanfic

So, a few months ago I stumbled upon Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, a fanfic written by Eliezer Yudkowsky, and amongst the best fiction (no need for the fan- prefix) I’ve read this year; but, it is a story suffering from a problem: it is far, far too difficult to describe (or to try to convince you to read) the story without giving too much information and spoiling, or giving too little information and understating the brilliance of, the story; it (gently) mocks the original stories and the clichés which run rampant in the fanfic community they spawned … but it isn’t a hatefic; it features a Harry Potter who muses on the topic of marrying Professor Quirrell … but it isn’t a slashfic; it features a Harry Potter whose life is imperilled by a mob of yaoi fangirls … but it isn’t a crackfic; it is hilarious; it is intelligent/thought-provoking; and it is a fic you really should read.