# Are you a crackpot? A quick quiz **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 1, 2001, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379 "2001-04-01T16:02:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/21 "2001-04-03T02:41:54Z")
Actually, you just added another question: 1. Do you ask (or, better: demand) a definition of what a “real” scientist is in the context of a discussion of crackpots? (10 points), In addition, do you constantly ask for definitions of standard English (or native language terms ("Define ‘dead’ ")? (+10 additional points) So, m’friend, you made it back to 40!!! 🙂 I want an autographed issue when you make the cover of Skeptic. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/22 "2001-04-03T03:01:35Z")
Another question that should be on the list: (\*) Do you cite your degree in a completely non-related field as credentials for your theory? (10 pts). And extra credit if you cite your academic postion at the institution you founded. (15 pts). e.g. “Cletus Hoffmeyer, author of ‘Why Einstein was Wrong’, is the senior advisor at the Hoffmeyer Foundation for Limitless Energy. He holds a master’s degree in anthropology.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@The\_Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tim)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/23 "2001-04-03T03:06:51Z")
See real science is actually magic, the Atlanteans knew it and the Illuminati know it. The real way to do magic is through the Sacred Sigils given by the Elohim who dwell primarly on the Other Earth which is always 6 months in front of Our Earth so that we can never see it. Two of these Sigils form the base of the false science you all know. They’re the 17th and 23rd Sigils, aranged in the 5th mode of relation. Its simple really. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/24 "2001-04-03T04:08:47Z")
Great quiz, Fenris. I’ve always wanted to know, and now I do, I’m NOT a crackpot. Unfortunately, the dog is. As is the Norfolk Island Pine and several of the little people living under my photocopier. The dog and the pine are collaborating on a grand unified theory in which, apparently, George Eastman plays rather a large part. b. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/25 "2001-04-03T04:19:23Z")
Fenris, You left off a question/category that would garner many points, to wit: If the Fox Network has done a special on your theory (?? points). Sir ---
**Author:** ![Britt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Britt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Britt)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/26 "2001-04-03T04:33:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\*Actually, you just added another question: > > 1. Do you ask (or, better: demand) a definition of what a “real” scientist is in the context of a discussion of crackpots? (10 points), In addition, do you constantly ask for definitions of standard English (or native language terms ("Define ‘dead’ ")? (+10 additional points) > > So, m’friend, you made it back to 40!!! 🙂 I want an autographed issue when you make the cover of Skeptic. > > Fenris \*\* Why thank you knew you would see it my way. I am off to secure some real funding by selling a perpetual motion generator. Now where is that formula, wire lots of wire and a sprinkling of rare earth elements the plebs (er investors) have never heard of. A blinking light and let us see a little blurb about the rotational velocity of the earth (relative to the galactic centre of course) and all of that hither to un harnessed energy, and how this does not contradict any law of thermo dynamics to boot, (well OK not more than four) but I am sure the universe will let me away with it. I mean its not like it has a police force out enforcing all these laws or anything. Skeptic here we come 🙂 Now please get back to ranting against unfounded, unprovable hyperbole, that the news media knows will sell but also knows (at least I hope it does) is incorrect and generally harmful to the better understanding of our universe and our place in it. Britt. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/27 "2001-04-03T07:26:18Z")
The porcelain of my toilet has a chip in it. Does that count? ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/28 "2001-04-03T08:53:09Z")
> [@](#): > > But like, there are so many people pretending to be Jesus, how will we know which one is the real thing? Ha! **Magdalene** , I used to work in a psychatric hospital (in maximum security forensics: fun fun fun!). At one point we actually had **TWO** Jesuses (Jesi? 😕 ) on our ward at the same time! Made for some interesting discussions, needless to say… ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/29 "2001-04-03T09:59:15Z")
Thanks for the update on Ludwig…excuse me, Archimedes Plutonium, **gigi**. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know he’s still around and annoying the scientific community. In the area of crackpot science, I personally found [this theory](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=65977) amusing… ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/30 "2001-04-03T13:36:40Z")
If people have to purchase something before being allowed to see your experiment, is that worth any crackpot points, or just scam artist points? –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/31 "2001-04-03T14:08:55Z")
How about: If you have declared that your theory can only be disproved by certain evidence (e.g. “Moon rocks don’t count, the only way to prove the moon landing occurred is to explain all the photographs” or, for the complete loon, “the only evidence I will accept to show that andros is not the same person as gaudere is if you show me a simulpost”). Gotta be worth a few points. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/32 "2001-04-03T15:49:26Z")
::: laughs glutei maximi off ::: ::: gasps for breath ::: ::: suggests that **Manhattan** should toss **waterj2** a coupla Phaedybucks® for that gratuitous reference to true weird science ::: ::: returns to mycological researches :::: ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/33 "2001-04-03T21:06:28Z")
Sublight: You’d get Scam-Artist points, (and that’s a whole 'nother thread)! WaterJ2: I agree with the principle, but I can’t think of a phrasing that would work. With yours (or any that I come up with) someone saying “I’ve got a theory that computers _like_ Ice Cream. Spoon it right in! And the only way I’ll believe otherwise is if the computer stops working!” would get crackpot points. And they shouldn’t. I know _exactly_ what you’re getting at, it’s just the phrasing… Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Britt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Britt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Britt)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/34 "2001-04-03T21:45:17Z")
How about if the only form of evidence you will accept to disprove your theory, has less validity than the original theory? Then evidence such as a counter example would oviously not count. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/35 "2001-04-03T22:12:34Z")
Great quiz, Fenris! I think I could boil it down to one question, though: Answer honestly, now. Is there anything, any expert opinion, any theoretical argument, any piece of evidence, any experimental result, that will convince you that your theory is a pile of steaming horseshit? Not that you should modify your theory slightly, not that you need to think more carefully about it, not that you must do more research. Is it possible for you be convinced that you should scrap your theory entirely? Will you ever conclude that you were off on the wrong track? Is there a teeny, tiny scrap of doubt in your mind, a miniscule crack to let the daylight in, any possiblity that the rest of the world is right, and you are wrong? If the answer is “No” then _you are a kook._ Here’s your free identification card and complimentary tinfoil hat. In my book, the qualifying characteristic of a crackpot, and possibly one of his most endearing qualities, is that he is completely in love with his theory, and won’t give it up, no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/36 "2001-11-09T01:58:50Z")
Fenris wrote: > [@](#): > > 1. Does your device measure a strange new form of energy that no-one else, EVEN USING YOUR DEVICE can measure? (Orgone energy, for example) (10 pts) Believe it or not, Wilhelm Reich (the crackpot who first thought up orgone energy) acutally built what he considered to be an [orgone energy field meter](http://home.netcom.com/~rogermw/Reich/orgone_field_meter.html), which **anybody** could use. Too bad it was just a fancy-looking Tesla coil, measuring nothing more than the electrical conductivity of the air and any nearby objects. ---
**Author:** ![Xploder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a183cd/32.png) [@Xploder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xploder)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/37 "2001-11-09T02:07:37Z")
I just had to say that **Fenris** has **four** pit rants on the forst page!!! Do you **live** in the pit or what? No offense intended of course…just seemed weird that they were ALL on the page before I scrolled down. And yes, I guess you could call this a handy post 😃 (i.e., for the stupid people, a drive-by post) ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/38 "2001-11-09T03:48:40Z")
A couple of 'em are old posts. Check the start dates. I’m not quite that much of a Pitizen Fenris ---
**Author:** ![ObiWan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e47774/32.png) [@ObiWan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ObiWan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/39 "2001-11-09T10:16:59Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Fenris_ > 3) Have you ever compared yourself to Galileo as in the following “They tried to supress Galileo, and he turned out to be RIGHT! So I must be right too!” (10 pts) **Fenris** , I think Carl Sagan coined the perfect response to the crackpots that say something like that: “They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.” ---
**Author:** ![Tricia\_Valentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@Tricia\_Valentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tricia_Valentine)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379/40 "2001-11-10T00:19:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by magdalene \* > \*\*Okay, so I think Jesus returned to earth on the Milennium, as scheduled. And of course, he came to America. He wandered around looking for prostitutes and tax collectors so he could tell them all about the good news. H&R Block Security had him removed and he got beat up by a few pimps. He preached the good news from several street corners until he was picked up for vagrancy and sent up to the state mental hospital where he languishes in a Thorazine haze. The Rapture can’t start until we go and let him out. But like, there are so many people pretending to be [Jesus](http://www.jesus.com), how will we know which one is the real thing? So I suggest we let all the crazy people who claim to be Jesus out - things will sort themselves out. > > (I’ve actually told this theory to annoying people on airplanes when they ignore my headphones and closed eyes and tell me about their grandchildren). > \*\* Sounds remotely like a movie I just watched by Kevin Smith… 🙂 Dogma, anyone? (Kevin Smith IS God!) ~C~ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-crackpot-a-quick-quiz/60379.md?page=3)