A big tell for me that a "conspiracy theory" might actually be true is when the only refutation is, "that's a conspiracy theory"/"you're a conspiracy theorist!"

A big tell for me that a "conspiracy theory" might actually be true is when the only refutation is, "that's a conspiracy theory"/"you're a conspiracy theorist!" Most conspiracy theories that are false are fairly simple to refute, and most skeptics can give a good counter example quickly. E.g. if you fly around the earth in a straight line, you'll return to your point of origin. I noticed this myself in 2020 when I gently suggested that lab leak was an explanation for COVID worthy of investigation. The negative responses were swift, and all consisted of ad hominem & appeals to authority.