Massive Online Search for Meaning of Life Underway

A web site soliciting submissions on the meaning of life is garnering worldwide attention. The best 100 entries will be posted to the site on October 31st and compiled into a book.

New York, NY October 25, 2004 -- The Real Meaning of Life Project, a concept created by an NYU student earlier this month, is gaining some serious attention. It all began with one question posted on a web page: what is the meaning of life?

The initial idea was to create a web site and subsequently a book drawing on real-life advice from hundreds of everyday folks. The project aims to be a "direct assault" on self-help gurus such as Dr. Phil, according to David Seaman, the project's founder. After a glowing review in USA Today's online Tech section, the site experienced a tremendous increase in traffic and submissions.

"We're getting submissions from nihilists in France, from born again Christians in Texas, from Buddhists in upstate New York," Seaman said. "It's insane, but wonderful."

Some visitors have expressed gratitude for the project. "No one else has come up with the idea asking people this question in quite this way before, so this is a thing that only you could have done," wrote Michaela Stephens in a recent email to the team.

A few submitters, however, are frustrated by the site's sophomoric search for meaning. "Why do you think life has a meaning? To me, it is only natural laws and coincidence which made life on this planet - and probably on many others - start," said Stefan Kruithof, an Archaeology major studying in the Netherlands.

The project now has a two gigabyte email account to handle the recent surge in submissions. Submissions will be accepted until October 31, 2004, when the best entries will be posted to the site. More information is available at http://life.shutterline.com.

Media Contact:

David Seaman, 410-991-7267
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