Cue: Any time I decide that it wouldn't be worth my time to closely examine counterarguments or evidence against a live hypothesis. This normally takes the form of a superficially plausible cost/benefit analysis with a conclusion along the lines of "if you examined every single crackpot theory then you wouldn't have any time to look at things that mattered", which can largely only be justified by a rationalized working model of how mental accounting works.
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.