Regular readers will recall a posting made on the subject of confidence. Having the ability to construct a convincing reading of the input you are presented with, a strong narrative in which you have complete faith is a sought after skill. One political leaders require. More enquiring minds spin out suggested scenario after scenario. Good scientists should never be overly committed to an idea. One should be continually questioning and updating your beliefs. Clearly people are drawn to those of unquestioning belief. They provide a mooring in the tidal seas of change most of us percieve. Religious leaders provide this knowing. This belief. Faith. Politicians who learn from experiences and new information and change their views are derided. It would see daft to put power in to the hands of someone liable to alter the path from the one they were elected on the back of. But is this complete conviction helping us? The Greek election comes with the worry that in such confusing times people may elect whoever appears to be most confident. The economic situation in Germany in the 1930s led to a horrific politics of self belief. Indeed extremist politics often slides in when times are confusing. With each day bringing changes and further unforeseen crises wouldn't it be wisest to elect the most flexible scientific candidate? Seeing Rebekah brooks reaction to her arrest one was aware how, like nearly all criminals she saw herself as innocent. It is not within her framework or narrative, the story she tells herself, to see herself as she is. Other criminals may on occasion know they are wrong but it is not their remorse the public craves. It is the criminal whose reality construct differs from ours. It is why we do not release murderers who refuse to accept what they have done. We need them to see the,selves as we see them. What we want from anders breivik is for him to become aware of the horror of his actions. This expression of remorse is crucial for us to validate the construct we agree on.