The purpose of the BikeSnob column and blog is amusement.
It is somewhat similar to Bicycleforums.net in that way.
The only useful piece of information I have obtained from reading Eban's stuff (the blog is a bit better than the laundered Outside Mag pap) is the Ben's Cycles 10% off coupon.
If I want hard-core retro-advice and opinions, I can subscribe to Bicycle Quarterly (which I do).