People who take what others regard as a ridiculous position should not bother to say, I mean every word
For either their position truly is ridiculous, in which case insisting that they are serious about it only exposes them to deeper embarrassment, or else their position has merit, in which case they should meet disbelief with rational argument rather than with assurances of their sincerity
Scholars who champion unpopular new theories should not assume that the widespread rejection of their ideas shows that they must be on the right track.  The truth is that few theories of any consequence are either wholly right or wholly wrong and thus there is no substitute for patient work in ascertaining which parts are right.