now, anthropologists have stopped thinking of animism as a way of explaining the world. now, animism is described as a way of relating to the world. this is the difference: the "old animism" explained the unknown, but "new animism" builds relationships with non-human people. this change in definitions is possible mostly because of alfred irving hallowell. hallowell studied the berens river ojibwe of north america in the 1930s. he lived with them. he learned that the ojibwe do not think there is a spirit in all things at all times. they do not believe spirits explain every question. instead, the spirits of things which interact with humans as persons. animism for the ojibwe is about relationships. hallowell said the best way to understand this "new" animism was to also believe in it. it is not common for anthropologists to believe similar things to the people they write about. however, this definition of animism is the one that anthropologists are writing about today.