The Righteous Heretic or the Quack Grifter?

We often revere the righteousness of our historical heretics, but are committed to silencing them. Is it possible to determine in one's modern time who will be vindicated by history? Or can history only determine that? Are we all doomed to look absurd by the long arc of history ou know it? For example, i think of thomas nwright, wh is revered to day but died a pauper and was hated. I do doubt that alex jones will be regarded as a championof a free speech and a prophet of truth and righteousness in a hundred years.