Why do I like Yahtzee? I think his lofty standards are useful, I mean, if YAHTZEE likes a game, it must be doing something right. I didn't like Yahtzee at first though, I thought he was just another shmuck thinking he was clever by bashing videogames on the internet.
I gained a large amount of respect for Yahtzee after I reading some of his short-stories and after playing 1213, and the Chzo Mythos. Both of which I highly recommended. I realized that he genuinely wishes for the medium to go forward and is constantly frustrated by it's current state. He's also willing to put his money where his mouth is and actually make his own games.
Pretty cool guy, even if I don't always agree with him.