Faith - people involved in crackpot sciences all tend to demonstrate the same traits - the following is adapted from the crackpot index that can found all over the net - see anyone you know?
1) They feel that a detailed knowledge of an area is not required to critique that area and it's theortical basis.
2) They feel that the argument they present is totally straightforward and it's only due to bias or some mental defect that other people cannot get it. Those arguments generally read as gibberish to anyone who actually work or know anything about that area.
3) They feel that people are out to "get them"
4) They tend to overuse of words all in capital letters (except for those with defective keyboards).
5) They claim that when their theory is finally appreciated, present-day science will be seen for the sham it truly is.
6) They claim that the "scientific establishment" is engaged in a "conspiracy" to prevent your pet theory from gaining its well-deserved fame, or suchlike.
7) They defend themselves by bringing up (real or imagined) ridicule accorded to their pet theories.
8) They arguing that while a current well-established theory predicts phenomena correctly, it doesn't explain "why" they occur, or fails to provide a "mechanism".
9) They constantly reuse statements despite careful correction.
This message has been edited by Charles Knight, 11-Aug-2005 06:44 AM