Welcome to Issue 1: A note from the editor

The inaugural issue of this publication asked a big question. Several people I spoke with expressed amused consternation (or worse) that I would ask potential contributors such a broad and ill-defined question: "What is Life?"

But I'm happy to report that my boldness in putting this question out there has provoked some fascinating and thoughtful responses.

Clinical psychologist (and so much more) Louis Berger invites us to reconsider the presupposed supremacy of the natural sciences—and in particular its materialist tendencies—when considering the nature of life and consciousness in his essay, "Life demands reconsidering physicalism as dogma." He points to panpsychism—an idea that consciousness exists everywhere, in everything—as an alternative to the logical and ontological problems embedded in accepting a reductionist materialism to its bitter end. His discussion is a brisk tour through some unresolved and interconnected issues of philosophy, psychology, and physics.

Cultural anthropologist Jill Florence Lackey takes a different tack, suggesting that life is what we make it and therefore addresses how we might make it most meaningful and useful—for ourselves and the planet we share. In her essay, "Creating a formula for an efficacious life: A view from a cultural anthropologist," she outlines a four-step process she believes can help humans make sense of their world as they work to improve and create it. It's not rocket science, but how often do we actually challenge ourselves to reflect on the direction we choose to live our life? Hers is a message inspiring in its simplicity and honesty.

Digital arts student Chris Poff attempts a synthetic approach in his essay, "Life has purpose," questioning where the meaning in life lies—in physics?, chemistry?, biology?, information?, semiotics?, creativity?, sex? In a casual but well-informed discussion, he suggests that living creatures differ from the nonliving because they alone display intention. For Poff, life creates the distinction of living/nonliving and life/environment by virtue of living and altering the environment to suit its purposes. Poff's approach is honest, incisive, and witty.

Inventor and civic provocateur Greg Bird ponders whether or not the question is at all useful to ordinary people in "Life presents us with opportunities." He decides, I think, that it is, so long as we don't let our heads get stuck in the clouds. Life, to him, is a force constantly challenging us to adapt, a la the challenges brought by the energy crises in the modern world. The questioning of life, and what life means, has evolved with humans through the ages, and Bird suggests that this questioning is an essential feature of human living and also the fount of much of applied science.

In my own essay, "Fascinating! (Life is)," I also attempt a synthetic approach. I am fascinated by the idea of symbiogenesis advanced by microbiologist Lynn Margulis, the resonant cross-scale connections suggested by biologist Lewis Thomas, and the conjecture about life's origins discussed by Freeman Dyson. While my reach no doubt exceeds my grasp, I hope I too am contributing something worthwhile to this endeavor.

Issue 1 is just a humble beginning.

There are many other voices out there—perhaps yours!—with ideas about life, and you are welcome to read and comment at Milwaukee Anthropologist. The discussion only begins here. I invite readers to learn from the arguments presented here, get curious, get fascinated—and also question, challenge, criticize, and augment the essays by posting feedback or sharing what you've read here with others.

What about the next issues?

I happen to believe in free will, but I also appreciate when seemingly chance events conspire to nudge me along specific trajectories among the eddies and currents of existence. I was happily so nudged when I heard on the local radio a few weeks ago that John Mellencamp, who'll be in Milwaukee June 28, has a new album coming out. It's to be entitled Life, Death, Love & Freedom.

That was good enough of a sign for me to make my free choice. So, here's the lineup of questions for the first four issues:

Issue 1 (June 21, 2008): What is Life?
Issue 2 (Sept. 22, 2008): What is Death?
Issue 3 (Dec. 22, 2008): What is Love?
Issue 4 (March 20, 2009): What is Freedom?

Thanks to all who consulted on or contributed to this project. If you are interested in contributing in the future, please contact me. Milwaukee Anthropologist is now open for submissions for Issues 2, 3, and 4. The deadline for Issue 2 is Sept. 1, 2008.

Readers, please feel free to widely disseminate this site address to others you think would find it interesting, via email notices, word-of-mouth, or list servs.

Be of good cheer!

-Michael Timm
June 21, 2008