To me, the layperson, the idea that you cannot distinguish whether you are in an accelerated frame or in a gravitational field seems wrong due to a very simple

To me, the layperson, the idea that you cannot distinguish whether you are in an accelerated frame or in a gravitational field seems wrong due to a very simple fact. The force that would be exerted from acceleration versus gravity is different. The force you we think of as gravity comes from a center point that changes with your position while acceleration comes from a uniform direction without regard to your position.