What is the meaning of life?

Book Tackles Your Blues, Anonymously

Nearly two years ago, David Seaman was an undergraduate at NYU. The heavy workload and general freshman angst really got to him. In a moment of total despair, while sipping on a scalding hot black coffee at the Greenwich Village Starbucks, he typed, "What is the meaning of life?" into his laptop's browser.

The question soon posted to Seaman's online journal. Much to his surprise, within fifteen minutes he had received forty responses. Within an hour the number grew to sixty and almost all of them were deeply insightful commentary on the human condition. Of course, a few people suggested that "boobs and beer" were the ultimate meaning of life, taking a decidedly less Zen tack on the question.

People were inspired by the sincerity of his quest for meaning and continued submitting answers - advice for making his life more meaningful - and encouraged their friends to do the same. It was only a matter of time before an overworked editor at USA Today's online division linked to the weblog, attracting even more submissions.

Now, some fifty-thousand hits and two-thousand answers later, David Seaman is the proud author of a new book called "The Real Meaning of Life" (New World Library) that includes the very best entries he received.

"What I love most about this book is the basic premise behind it," Seaman explained, "I mean it was an easy idea - every college kid has wondered what life is about at some point. It's a phase. But this is a unique reader experience because it's like sitting down with literally hundreds of wise people from all over the world, people who don't know you and probably never will, and learning their most profound life secrets."

Most of the entries are short, ranging from two sentences to several pages. From thousands of respondents - including Buddhists, Christians, atheists, waitresses, fellow students, and recovering heart attack patients - come incredibly diverse wisdom.

"It isn't all profound," Seaman assured us with a laugh. "We were careful to include some off-the-wall entries as well. I received a lot of those, more than I'd care to read to be quite honest!"

David Seaman has been a guest on WOR Radio, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, WWMX-FM and elsewhere. His first book, "The Real Meaning of Life," is becoming a favorite among college students and was recommended in The Washington Post Book World by bestselling author Terry McMillan.