Michael has an impressive track record (almost 20 front page posts!). It's hard to put into words how valuable that experience is for someone marketing for their own project or technical startup. Michael's content allows you to short-circuit the learning process - it's hard to game the system, but he's done a lot of the work for you to figure out what works and what doesn't.
I'm working through the course right now for my own company and it's already proven incredibly useful for me. If you're a tech blogger, startup founder, or early employee, I'd highly recommend checking out HFPHN for tips on understanding HN, choosing successful topics, and adjusting your writing style for maximum uptake and quality.
