Net.kook

Encyclopedia : N : NE : NET : Net.kook

The correct title of this } is }}}. The initial letter is capitalized due to [Naming conventions #Lower case first lettertechnical restrictions].

The term net.kook came about on Usenet as a way to describe particularly bizarre posters. As described in the alt.usenet.kooks FAQ, a net.kook has:

...a special fascination derived from his/her/its utter ineffability. Their behavior is irrational, if not downright weird, but they are seldom merely boring.

The people who post demented "scientific" theories, like Archimedes Plutonium's concept of the universe being one giant atom of plutonium, and seem incorrigible to criticism, are moderate net.kooks.

The sort of being who constantly raves about the conspiracy against her/him/it is an extreme net.kook, especially if he/she/it automatically assumes that anyone who questions their world-view is an agent of the conspirators or is an ultra right-wing/left-wing extremist, and hides behind an anonymous remailer to avoid "persecution" even though they would get one hell of a lot less of it by not posting at all.

Labeling someone a net.kook may be considered an accusation of insanity by some, but it can also be lighthearted; for example, the creator of Time Cube is widely considered a net.kook but hardly ever ridiculed. Some net.kooks may even wear the designation as a badge of honor.

Also known as "Thackers"

Net.kook

See also