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Before children start walking, talking or are even potty trained, parents begin teaching them the difference between right and wrong.

You can hardly blame them – good judgment is a skill necessary not only for proper development but for survival.

As the years pass, the guidance evolves but still remains. As Phillip Morris has reminded parents via television advertisements, “Talk to your kids about not smoking. They’ll listen.”

But children soon grow into adults, realizing the world they once viewed as black and white is actually a sea of confusing gray.

Simple problems give way to more complicated situations, and the once strong impression that every issue or person is clearly good or bad is shattered.

The Viewpoint section of the Daily Bruin embraces the independent search for enlightenment and understanding, good and bad, right and wrong – all at one of the most critical points of a person’s life: college.

Finally away from the influential shadows of parents and exposed to a variety of new people, many students suffer an identity crisis. Simple yet profound questions arise: What do I believe? Will I continue to live my life the same way now that I have more control of it?

Regardless of what the brochures say, you don’t just go to college to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer – you go to further develop your political, social and religious beliefs and more.

Viewpoint operates with the philosophy that opinions, even if you find yourself in disagreement, can be beneficial.

This logic may seem contradictory to earlier life teachings that children should be kept away from corrupting ideas or people.

But whatever beliefs and opinions we hold will never truly be valuable unless they are challenged. Lies, no matter how unbelievable they may seem, will be believed beyond a shadow of a doubt until refuted. (Until last time I checked, the world was still flat.)

Viewpoint serves to break apart our assumptions, inclinations and habits, and form us into critically thinking adults. Even if we ultimately disagree with someone, we should at least be able to understand them.

This section goes beyond simply promoting understanding and enlightenment between people; it tackles some of the day’s biggest topics and news stories, asking questions, probing details and informing in ways that other sections of the Daily Bruin can’t.

Although traditional media outlets strive to keep opinion out of their work and “bias” is just about the most offensive four-letter word that can be thrown at a journalist, opinionated media has grown in popularity over recent years, allowing for global discussion and sharing of opinions.

Bloggers, from the 13-year-old girl next door to military personnel in Iraq, now log online and share their stories with audiences around the world. Political talk shows featuring the likes of Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh fill the once “unbiased” airwaves.

These forms of media have flourished in part because they connect people in a more relatable, human way. One would never tell a story to a friend without opinion. We naturally look to agree, refute and add our own perspectives to the issues we encounter.

People connect to such media formats not because they’re more accurate or informative in telling the news. In fact, the contrary is sometimes true. It doesn’t take much to sit down at a computer with an Internet connection and rant to a limitless digital audience.

At Viewpoint, we sift through the pool of issues, opinions and beliefs to provide you with an organized and accurate assessment of your world, told from a variety of perspectives. The space is for everyone to read, contribute and dissect.

During your time at UCLA, you’ll undoubtedly be captivated, puzzled and possibly disgusted by the things you encounter. In such a large and overwhelming environment, you too may find yourself lost in the gray.

In which case, I hope you’ll turn to Viewpoint to find clarity (or at least learn to understand the shades of gray). Whether it be to learn about an issue, discover your beliefs, contribute your own findings, or just laugh at the funny pictures of the columnists – we welcome you.

Noble is the 2006-2007 assistant viewpoint editor. E-mail him at bnoble@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.