The main thing with cranks, crackpots seems to be that they go around to others, sometimes even fellow scientists, and try to argue their theory--seems like--all the time. Maybe they have an interesting idea; maybe they are right after all; maybe there will be a Nobel Prize in it at some point, but: the theory must speak for itself. The theory must sell itself, otherwise, the author is a kook for getting out in front and shilling for it.
That's how you can spot the kooks even when they wear the best camo--the college degree.
Self-search bump.