Conspiracy theory

The conspiracy-theory move is when someone shows that your idea might be wrong (e.g. no evidence, contradictory facts) and you say that just proves the cover-up is even bigger. So nothing can ever count against your idea—absence of evidence becomes evidence of concealment. The fallacy is to make the claim unfalsifiable. A view that can't be disproved by any evidence isn't being held on the basis of evidence.

Examples

• The fact that no one found any documents just shows how good they are at hiding them.

• The fact that experts disagree with you proves they're part of the conspiracy.

• If they had nothing to hide, they wouldn't object to the investigation.

• The lack of media coverage just shows the media is controlled.

• Anyone who denies it is either fooled or in on it.