This is a great post because it shows just how hard one has to stretch the meaning of “win” to find a way in which atheism always “wins.” In the example, it seems that Wedesday “wins” by remaining a Mormon, unless she just happens to place some kind of high personal value on metaphysical truth that can only be satisfied by holding the epistemically correct belief. There’s no reason why that should be for everyone, though—there’s a pretty strong case both for not caring at all about these questions, as well accepting one’s “default” view if it’s too costly to shed. Say Wednesday never becomes a philosopher, but instead, goes into business, or becomes a journalist, or a doctor. It’s difficult to imagine how the “less wrong” position of atheism would help her “win” in any of these endeavors, and, in all likelihood, the practical costs incurred by deconverting would swamp any marginal gains she’d get from changing her metaphysical stance on God.
I think people on LW are very hesitant to admit that their strong attachment to “true” metaphysical beliefs may have nothing to do with “winning,” but rather, could just be an idiosyncratic personal preference (which is perfectly OK).
Still, if everyone who does succeed has an irrational belief in their own success, then it’s not wrong to conclude that such a belief is probably a prerequisite (though certainly not a “guarantee”) for success.