My memory and long-term retention of facts (that I have learned) and data (that I've been exposed to) is rather creepy and disturbing sometimes. Test it out sometime.
My Philosophy
A mixture of eastern and western enlightenment. Think... Bushido/Zen with Objectivist/Materialism
What Gives Me Hope
Humanity's future (exploring the stars)
If I were Mayor, I'd make the world a better place by
Mayor: Ask the town's board of director's for a meeting to discuss formal measures to endorse. Measures which would increase literacy (among adults as well), promote local science education/work/investment, and provide greater access to employment as service workers for the city.
Governor: Call a press conference and announce the request for legislation (to sign into law) decriminalizing marijuana, that further liberates gun ownership, increasing the state's tax burden on the top 3% wealthiest residents, and a statewide mandated educational curriculum that challenges students to excel in areas of literature, arts, and sciences.
President: Too many things to post here.
What/who changed my life and why
Stephen King's "The Stand"
It showed me that fictional characters can be so well developed, and so genuine, that they become almost real people in your mind.