I taught evolution for undergrads, and occasionally had to deal with these issues from students. It takes time to look into them, and no matter how thoroughly debunked the theory, some kids find them too irresistible to let go of. It undermines real education in the end.
That doesn't mean that being perceived as a crackpot is a reliable indicator of being a visionary. It's similar to the argument that opposition equals confirmation -- some religious groups and conspiracy theorists argue that the fact that people oppose them means they are right.
"They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown."
Given all the evidence, I consider the MFAP origin hypothesis to be significantly less likely than the primate evolution theory. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
He had a lot of weight behind his claims.
Teaching is not my cup of tea but isn't an important life lesson teaching kids how to smell bullshit? If they can do that, surely they will know what books to pick and what to learn.