Lingusitics Cranks in other languages and cultures

  • Thread starter Thread starter cronxeh
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion highlights the presence of fringe theories and "cranks" in various cultures, particularly noting a recent discovery of such individuals on a Russian forum. The conversation emphasizes that every culture seems to have its own share of people who reject established scientific findings in favor of personal interpretations. The mention of Russian media, such as Pravda and Tass, suggests a trend where sensationalism parallels that of tabloids like the National Enquirer. The term "crank" is defined in a humorous context, indicating a broader cultural phenomenon of pseudoscience and misinformation across different languages and societies. The discussion invites examples of similar fringe beliefs from Chinese, Indian, and other cultures, reinforcing the idea that this issue is not isolated to any one region.
cronxeh
Gold Member
Messages
1,004
Reaction score
11
So since I also speak Russian I've decided to see if there are forums like PF in Russia(n) - and I've stumbled upon one, and on that forum I've found - you guessed it - a crank! It seems to me in every culture there is a devoted group of ignoramuses who, despite the experimental results, will provide their own interpretation to already tested and accepted ideas.

http://phorum.lebedev.ru/viewtopic.php?t=15

Does anyone have any examples from Chinese, Indian, and other languages and cultures of crankpots?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Science news on Phys.org
cronxeh said:
So since I also speak Russian I've decided to see if there are forums like PF in Russia(n) - and I've stumbled upon one, and on that forum I've found - you guessed it - a crank!

Russia and other ex-Soviet states are generating much of the wacky fringe stuff seen in this country today. Pravda and other papers are now pretty much on par with the National Enquirer, and even Tass has published some of the silly stuff.
 
What's a crank?
 
Smurf said:
What's a crank?

Typically, a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle.
 
crackpot in dutch: kwakzalver
 

Thread 'Aethelstan, King of the Anglo Saxons, first English King'

Historian seeks recognition for first English king https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d07w50e15o Somewhere I have a list of Anglo-Saxon, Wessex and English kings. Well there is nothing new there. Parts of Britain experienced tribal rivalries/conflicts as well as invasions by the Romans, Vikings/Norsemen, Angles, Saxons and Jutes, then Normans, and various monarchs/emperors declared war on other monarchs/emperors. Seems that behavior has not ceased.
View full post »

Similar threads

Lingusitics (BBC) Bolze is more than a just a language: it’s a cultural identity
Replies
1
Views
2K
Lingusitics Help Needed: Overcoming Language Barriers & Low Self-Esteem
Replies
8
Views
2K
Languages needed in aerospace/aeronautics industry
Replies
1
Views
2K
Perspectives with an almost-completed BSc. Physics
Replies
4
Views
1K
Schools In what ways is high school math education inadequate?
Replies
11
Views
4K
Current and Future AI Threats to Humanity and the Human Response
Replies
10
Views
4K
Two of my nonsense short stories
Replies
3
Views
3K
Math What are the challenges faced by disillusioned math majors in finding a job?
3
Replies
127
Views
21K
Meet Ryan_m_b: A Lifelong Love of Science & Nanomedicine
Replies
17
Views
4K
Meet jtbell: Meet a Mentor Series Interview
Replies
12
Views
6K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top