Sure, but it works the other way around too; you can’t automatically rule out conspiracy theories as false just because they fall into the category of conspiracy theories. This is itself a plausible conspiracy theory; that the trope of conspiracy theories being associated with crazy idiots, and the prevalence of very stupid conspiracy theories, is supported and encouraged to provide additional cover for the real ones.
I would argue that even before the point where the conspiracies I mentioned were conclusively proven and accepted as common knowledge, it still made sense to seriously consider the possibility and not dismiss people doing so only because they were engaging in conspiracy theories (which absolutely happened). That mindset just helps them get away with it.
Sure, but it works the other way around too; you can’t automatically rule out conspiracy theories as false just because they fall into the category of conspiracy theories. This is itself a plausible conspiracy theory; that the trope of conspiracy theories being associated with crazy idiots, and the prevalence of very stupid conspiracy theories, is supported and encouraged to provide additional cover for the real ones.
You can until they provide evidence. Because the onus of proof is on the claimant.
Acquire proof.
I would argue that even before the point where the conspiracies I mentioned were conclusively proven and accepted as common knowledge, it still made sense to seriously consider the possibility and not dismiss people doing so only because they were engaging in conspiracy theories (which absolutely happened). That mindset just helps them get away with it.