Why would I take startup advice from someone who admits to being a sheep, and worse, admits to hating it?

Because he didn't admit being a sheep? It's useful (to the point of being necessary) to know and understand the arguments on the other side of the table, and it's extraordinarily important to have a common ground with the people you expect to talk to. If everyone is reading 37s, 37s is a much better starting point for an intelligent conversation than the recounting of a lesser known articulation for unfamiliar participants.