The fringes of science always prove the most fruitful, at least if it's fiction you're pursuing. And when real discoveries come from that intriguing zone, they're usually humdingers. But there's big danger there. Even (or especially?) earnest scientists can get conned if, say, a remarkably good magician (like the very talented Banachek, who can replicate Uri Geller's demonstrations and literally did con scientists in a study in the 1970s) tries to fool them. Here are some fine ends of that particular flowchart.
First, there's nutty nutball central, with the author believing a Weekly World News report of an angel figure turning up on the moon. The cross-referencing and von Daniken craziness needs, apparently, the merest nudge to fly off into the aether. And what a bio: "Dr. Cristian Negureanu is a well known author and has published books since 1989! His work is well documented, very serious and he offers the readers innovating works of a great interest today."
Dude has written books. Since 1989! With pages!
Then there's this ambivalently-toned gallery of "mad scientists," some of whom are no doubt exploring real phenomena, and others of whom are no doubt engaging in self-delusion, wishful thinking, and Banachek-style foolery. But it's a blast to read about.
Here's Banachek (sans claims of psychic ability, thank heavens) making Uri Geller look like a chump:
And here's Uri Geller himself, making Uri Geller look like a chump:
