Sure. But unusual thinking does not mean a lack of rigor. Simply because you qualify as a crackpot doesn't mean you lack rigor or potential. Just means you're provocative and "out there"
Then we have different definitions of "crackpot." My working definition is someone who is convinced their ideas are better than orthodoxy despite no evidence in their favor and reasoning that lacks rigor.
The author of the list is a mathematical physicist. I assume the list is inspired by the letters he receives from people who are sure they've disproved relativity or quantum mechanics.
Rigor is relative, unless you're talking about formal proofs. This struck me as simply a guideline to use in regular conversations with anybody you might meet on the street.
I know who the guy is. I'm just saying there's a fine line between busy and can't be bothered and a pompous asshole with poor social skills.
The list makes me lean towards the latter opinion.
- Carl Sagan
Unusual thinking itself is not valuable. Unusual thinking with rigor is.