Second Nature: Rethinking the Natural through Politics

Acknowledgments

vii acknowledgments This book has its origins in a graduate student conference and speaker series on “Second Nature: Rethinking the Natural through Politics,” at Northwestern University in 2006–2007. Thanks to Soulymane Bachir Diagne, Peter Fenves, Sara Monoson, Keith Topper, and Linda Zerilli for their participation in and support of the conference; to Michael Warner and Jane Bennett for delivering memorable keynote addresses and Peter Euben, Bruno Latour, and Thomas Laqueur for their preconference talks; to the (then) graduate students at Northwestern who helped organize the conference, especially John Ackerman, Ashleigh Campi, Ross Carroll, Demetra Kasimis, Angela Maione, Jake Matatyaou, Laura Reagan, Chris Skeaff, and Doug Thompson; and also to all of the (then) graduate students who participated in the conference: Kiran Banerjee, Ashley Biser, Christopher Buck, Anita Chari, Keridiana Chez, Cigdem Cidam, Arthur Craig, Shirin Deylami, Stefan Dolgert, Lorenzo Fabbri, Tim Fisken, Loren Goldman, Ayten Gündoğdu, Jack Jackson, Mujeeb Khan, Amanda Kirk, Hagar Kotef, Christopher Lauer, Jennifer Lin, Alex Livingston, Eli Meyerhoff, Yves Winter, Mabel Wong, and Rafi Youatt. The Graduate School at Northwestern and (then) Dean Andrew Wachtel provided generous financial support for the conference, as did numerous Northwestern departments, programs, and institutes. Simon Greenwold and Maggie Wildman of the Graduate School also provided important assistance and administrative support. For their contributions to making the book a reality, we wish to thank the anonymous readers whose insights helped sharpen and clarify the essays in this volume. Thomas Lay and Helen Tartar of Fordham University Press were supportive and helpful throughout the review and publication process. Melissa Meyer provided valuable research assistance. Friese Undine generously allowed us to use his painting for the conference program, and he has long inspired our thinking about nature and politics through both his artwork (available for viewing at www.frieseundine.com) and his friendship. We extend our thanks to Jim Denevan for granting permission viii Acknowledgments to use the striking photograph of his temporary sand art on this book’s cover. We owe a special debt of gratitude to Bonnie Honig. From the earliest stages of planning the conference to preparing the book for publication , Bonnie has lent her support, encouragement, and keen intellect to the project. Her commitment helped make the conference and book a reality and enriched our thinking about “second nature.” Finally, and most important, we thank our partners. Japonica BrownSaracino , James Owens, and Nathan Shepard have not only supported us with their love and patience throughout this process. They have also read (many) drafts, offered thoughts, and helped shape our thinking. Our lives, and the book, are the better for it. ...