The problems with FFA, to the extent it claims enhanced risk of earthquakes near 103 and 140 degrees distance, are twofold.

1. There is no evidence for it (that I've seen, and I've read Lowell's thesis).
2. There is no reason to expect such a pattern. The claimed correlation with the edges of the P-wave shadow is ridiculous. There is no reason for the edges of the P-wave shadow zone to have any relation to the pattern of earthquake triggering.

Scientists show their evidence, then make their claims, which other sensible people in turn accept or reject, through statistical analysis if the issue is hard to resolve. This is something else.

• a definition of FFA