Living in a Not-Material World by VagoDamitio In looking at the material world around us, it is easy to suppose that everyone sees the same things, the same way, the whole world over. This is not the case. Most of us, living in what we call ‘western’ and ‘modern’ societies tend to look at the…
I am Disturbed
I am disturbed that whatever art I make will probably be used to sell something at some point in the future. This is only true if my art is deemed good or popular. I am disturbed that success is so narrowly defined in the society that I live in. Essentially economic success is the only…
The Time of Rice
Time for Rice. Rice Time. The Rice for Time. Timing Rice. by Vago Damitio It is easy to forget that time is a human construction. Not to say that things didn’t happen in a way that could be described as ‘time’ before humans were measuring it, but this is a very different thing than the…
Another Madman Writer: Anthony Mathenia
A couple years ago, my novel Douchebags, Fags, and Hags was in a competition with a bunch of other novelist’s novels. It looked like the winner was going to be me or this fruity guy who was writing a Jehovah’s Witness coming of age story called Happiness and How to Find It. (At the bottom…
Waist to Hip Ratio in Male to Female Attraction
Like Sands Through an Hourglass Figure by Vago Damitio In the battle for the hearts of minds of future anthropologists, behaviorists, and popular science buffs, two competing camps have risen to the forefront. Each of these camps has appeal to the masses, each of them can make points that astound and confuse the layperson, and…
If you want to fight the power, you have to know what power is
If You Want to Fight the Power, You Have to Know What Power Is by Vago Damitio Throughout the recorded history of humankind, and presumably even prior to that, human beings have ordered themselves in groups and often placed themselves into positions which necessitate relying upon other human beings. One can imagine the possibility of…
I love Fairhaven
I wrote this little blurb for the local Bellingham newspaper The Every Other Weekly back in 2003. I love Fairhaven by Vago Damitio I absolutely love where I live. Mountains, coastline, lakes, streams. The natural beauty is incredible, but everybody knows that. I love where I live. I live in Fairhaven About 100 years ago,…
How Mass Media Shapes Personal Identity
A huge part of being a human being is the ability to ask one’s self ‘Who am I?’ Certainly, we cannot know for certain that all creatures don’t ask themselves the same question, but since, as human beings, we are able to communicate the thoughts that we have within ourselves to other human beings outside…
Badjao : Sama Dilaut of Tawi-Tawi Sea Gypsies
The Sama Dilaut of Tawi Tawi: Facing Change in a Modern World by Vago Damitio Throughout the world, there is a huge danger that modernization and globalization will destroy irreplaceable resources in the name of progress. The oceans of the world are becoming polluted, the forests of the world are being cut, and the animals…
Is Human Nature Anti Nature?
Humans are as much a part of nature as any other species on the planet and while it is permissible to talk about the impact that human populations and culture have had on the planet, the idea that human nature is inherently anti-nature does not fit with the facts. Indigenous people have managed forests for…