1. The discoverer pitches the claim directly to the media
"I did not have sex with that woman"
2. The discoverer says that a powerful establishment is trying to suppress his or her work
"It's a Right Wing Conspiracy"
3. The scientific effect involved is always at the very limit of detection.
"Stained blue dress"
4. Evidence for a discovery is anecdotal.
"It was just about sex"
5. The discoverer says a belief is credible because it has endured for centuries
"Everybody cheats"
6. The discoverer has worked in isolation
"It's the hardest he's ever worked in his life, and it's for the children!"
7. The discoverer must propose new laws of nature to explain an observation.
Define what "is" is.
[This ping list is for the evolution -- not creationism -- side of evolution threads, and sometimes for other science topics. To be added (or dropped), let me know via freepmail.]
Good FReepin' job!!!