The fictional Tony Soprano character reported that he had a near-death experience in which the question came up: Who am I?

Simple yet vexing square-one questions may well open Pandora's Box, but they are unavoidable for adults. If we don't have a crisp answer for square one questions, how can we possibly assess beef or chicken?

Of course, we can't really answer the square-one-type inquiries, but we can't avoid them, either. Instead, we need to ask better and better questions that guide us on a path to an improved experience, perhaps even Nirvana or Heaven on earth.

But, then, maybe not. Still, my colleague Micah Tillman asks are very good square-one question: What is government?

My answer -- for now -- is a peacekeeping, conflict-resolution institution for humans. I'm open to a better answer, however.

-RC