The election fever is brewing here in Mt. P. and you are about to be bombarded with endless hype in print, on the internet, on radio and tv. How will you sort through all the data streams to winnow out information?

Well, the same way you think about other things. Each of us has a unique way of looking at the world. We are who we are because of two major forces: nature and nurture. Even identical twins are not together constantly, so while their nature may be close to identical their views may differ sharply because of the experiences each has had.

Nature occurs through our genes, and the way we developed within our mothers. Genes provide a general plan for how are arms and legs and eyes develop, whether we will be tall or short, how our muscles will be structured (giving some a great advantage at a sport or career), and how out brain will sprout (giving some a great advantage at solving Sudoku puzzles and having the curiousity to be creative). Poor, starving mothers will not provide as much nourishment as those who are well off. If a pregnant woman is exposed to hazards and accidents, this can affect the development of the fetus.

Unlike many animals, humans are not born with a complete repertoire of skills and cannot be self sufficient until many years have passed. Indeed, the frontal lobe of our brain does not become complete until we are twenty or twenty one years old. This is the part of the brain used in rational thought.

Our ability to learn skills and ideas, and communicate with others provides us with our understanding of the world. We can become good at a number of things; fixing a car, baking a cake, whistling a tune. We can change our minds as we find out new facts about a subject: there is no tooth fairy; I cannot fly by flapping my arms.

On the other hand we can become set in our ways, not open to data that conflicts with a deeply held conviction. This is very dangerous for us. We may continue doing things “the old way” when other action might be more successful (who put that new stop sign up?).

The best course of action is to question our beliefs occasionally to see that we are being realistic. Check out those candidates: which one will do a better job? Be fair. Be wise. Vote.