I definitely agree with the data argument. I used to be more ideological myself (in another direction, but it doesn't matter), and still cringe at my past self

I definitely agree with the data argument. I used to be more ideological myself (in another direction, but it doesn't matter), and still cringe at my past self when I think about how factually incorrect some of the things I used to believe are. Since we're talking about tropes, paraphrasing another popular one: some models are useful, but all are wrong. Some ideas, while somewhat abstract, can in fact be useful lenses to enhance your understandment of the world, but failing to take into account the data and trying to fit your worldview regardless just reeks of intellectual dishonesty.