The Crackpot Index

A simple method for rating potentially revolutionary contributions to physics as typed on Usenet. The higher the score, the more likely the contribution is from a Crackpot.

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

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