Let’s use the tweet below to explain something about why science is successful and politics today is largely dysfunctional. The person to which Jim responded asks for an apology if new data or evidence is presented which causes someone to change their view. Why? The process of updating ones view as new information or knowledge is acquired is central to science, and by extension to our rational understanding of the world. Demanding an apology from someone who engages in this vital activity is tantamount to demanding an apology for the enlightenment. Essentially, it represents the view that it is a personal insult to disagree over the interpretation of data. Nature, however, doesn’t care about your feelings and if it turns out that your opinion is wrong, no apology is necessary and indeed celebration is in order because you’ve learnt something new about Nature.