Let's also try the converse problem: what cues tip you off, in real life, that you are actually thinking, and that there is actually something you're trying to figure out? Please stick such cues under this comment.
Cue for actual thinking: I spontaneously produce lines of research, not lines of argumentation. I feel relief when I can classify a problem as "already decided by empirical data" and I begin to seek that data out.
How do you notice when you're rationalizing? Like, what *actually* tips you off, in real life?
I've listed my cues below; please add your own (one idea per comment), and upvote the comments that you either: (a) use; or (b) will now try using.
I'll be using this list in a trial rationality seminar on Wednesday; it also sounds useful in general.