Bewildering Stories introduces and welcomes...

Matt Lyman

Matt lives in Brentwood, California and works as a self-designated “science nerd” in a national laboratory.

“How the Human Immune System Can Heal Our Democracy” is part memoir as well as an essay. It will engage readers by its personal flavor as a well as its ingenious image comparing the immune system’s means of self-control with the moral choices made in personal and public interactions.

The reasoning is deceptively simple: the human body generates a special kind of cell that prevents immune reactions from running amok and thereby finishing the work that an infection has started, namely killing the body. How might that apply to political discourse in today’s world?

Readers have already noted that the theme is a major one in the Bible; its answer: set an example by responding to evil with good. The ultimate example of course, is the crucifixion of Jesus. When Jesus tells Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world,” one would expect the prelate to respond rationally, for example: “What do you mean?”

Unfortunately, Pilate understood “kingdom” as having only one meaning: the Roman empire, which was primarily a slave-owning society subject to the edicts of its emperor. Probably, no other term than “kingdom” existed at the time, and it could hardly have been more politicially incorrect to the ears of Pilate, reputed to be one of the empire’s most violent enforcers. Jesus’ response from the cross heralded the ultimate triumph of good over evil: “God, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

What to do when a passing motorist gives a mean expression and a threatening gesture? Wave at him with a friendly smile. He’ll probably know what it means. And if he doesn’t, he may be surprised enough to ask someone, who may tell him.

Matt Lyman’s bio sketch can be found here.

Welcome to Bewildering Stories, Matt. We’re glad to have you with us.