as a beginner/intermediate squatter myself, I have found his stuff really helpful.
especially the basic philosophy of building strength first, then worrying about physique goals.
I haven't seen him being a dick to anyone.
on his forum I've seen him laughing at a young kid with a disc herniation and his 'my way is the only way' annoys the fuck out of me. Layne Norton is pretty much the only lifter I've seen who puts up big weights with his style, most of the IPF big lifters (and the monster oly lifters obviously) squat way differently. High bar / more upright is imo the way for 99% of people to squat in training THEN swap to low bar for competition to add another 50lb of leverage
guys like Chris Duffin don't have an ego at all and they are way way stronger than riptoe in his wettest dream.