A former Milton resident’s PhD dissertation has ruffled feathers in her hometown. 

Susan Masterson, an anthropology PhD candidate at NYU, submitted a paper to the Journal of Anthropological Research this spring titled: “Teleos, time and tacos (pronounced ‘tack-ohs’): Examining the relationship between self-determination and Pausac’s intentional living score with midday caloric consumption amongst middle-class Norwegian immigrants.” 

Masterson claims a Midwest habit she labels ‘lunch culture’ is evidence of a “lack of intentional living towards meaningful goals.” 

“Basically, the habit of taking a ‘little lunch’ in the middle of the day is symptomatic of a deeper issue,” the 37-year-old explained.

“Minnesotans tend to structure their day around getting ready for the next thing. Typically, that’s eating a meal, cleaning up that meal, or getting ready for the next meal.

“But no matter what mundane activity we’re talking about, there’s this overarching theme of debilitating simplicity, and it prevents passionate pursuit of something bigger.” 

Masterson said the tendency for Minnesotans to talk about “mundane trivialities” like the weather or a neighbor’s new baby — instead of “centering such conversations on more complex, globally impactful topics like environmental justice or reproductive rights” — reinforce a mentality her research terms “simplified consistent caloric consumption (SCCC),” supposedly a key marker in Pausac’s intentional living score.

“They conflate healthy socializing and refueling with apathy,” she continued. “And because of the Norwegian stubbornness, we’ve observed it to be a really difficult cycle to reverse on a cultural level.” 

Further, a “fear of the unknown,” entrenched in the “Minnesotan way of life,” serves as a barrier to a “forward-thinking growth mindset,” Masterson said. The Lutheran-conservative mindset which characterizes the Milton area also “stunts intellectual progress,” her dissertation reads. 

Not everyone agrees with Masterson’s ideas, however, including the mother who brought her into the world and raised her. 

“I think she’s full of baloney,” Nancy Masterson said when asked for comment on her daughter’s dissertation.

 “By the way, I’ve got baloney sandwiches in the fridge and Harald’s making soup if you want to stay for a bit and have a little lunch.”

This story is an excerpt from the book “Ski Race Cancelled on Account of Snow: A year, as told through the stories — however small and insignificant — of the Milton Chronicle.” The book will be available for purchase once it is finished.