The quest for the tabloid experience, to be the deep-throat of science, regardless of the debunking to follow. Many will never see or even know of a debunking effort, so the initial bad source becomes their hero.

Well, that's why. It's not a good why, but then these aren't particularly honorable people. The yellow journalism is the best they can do because it's a firecracker event that gets them noticed, and notoriety is all they think to look for.

Even bad publicity is good for name recognition. The trouble is, this recognition comes with a record.

I know he'll probably never read any of my books and I'm grateful ... but just his existence keeps me on my research toes.
;^)