psychoceramics: crackpot index

[William J Jacobs <bjacobs @ mintaka.sdsu.edu>]

I happen to keep a copy around.  Here it is:


The following has been posted several times on the Internet.
Unfortunately, I have lost the message headers which give the
original poster's name.

                        THE CRACKPOT INDEX
A simple method for rating potentially revolutionary contributions to
physics.


1)  A -5 point starting credit.
2)  1 point for every statement that is widely agreed on to be false.
3)  2 points for every statement that is logically inconsistent.
4)  5 points for each such statement that is adhered to despite careful
    correction.
5)  5 points for using a thought experiment that contradicts the results of
    a widely accepted real experiment.
6)  5 points for each word in all capital letters (except for those
    with defective keyboards).
7)  10 points for each claim that quantum mechanics is fundamentally
    misguided (without good evidence).
8)  10 points for each favorable comparison of oneself to Einstein, or
    claim that special or general relativity are fundamentally misguided
    (without good evidence).
9)  10 points for pointing out that one has gone to school, as if this was
    evidence of sanity.
10) 20 points for suggesting that you deserve a Nobel prize.
11) 20 points for each favorable comparison of oneself to Newton or
    claim that classical mechanics is fundamentally misguided (without
    evidence).
12) 20 points for every use of science fiction works or myths as if they
    were fact.
13) 20 points for defending yourself by bringing up (real or imagined)
    ridicule accorded to ones past theories.
14) 30 points for each favorable comparison of oneself to Galileo,
    claims that the Inquisition is hard at work on ones case, etc..
15) 30 points for claiming that the "scientific establishment" is engaged
    in a "conspiracy" to prevent ones work from gaining its well-deserved
    fame, or suchlike.
16) 40 points for claiming one has a revolutionary theory but
    giving no concrete testable predictions.

                            END

---
Bill jacobs
William Jacobs             | The game (Hexen) consists of hitting imps on 
San Diego State University | the head with magic hammers until their brains 
Astronomy Dept.            | explode, but it isn't as complex as it sounds. 
b--@m--.sdsu.ede   | - James Lileks