Dæmian Garett

Hyper-CV

Dæmian Garett

I popularize problem-solving that uses artistic and philosophical methods. I engage with the social Web specifically via the electronic word, in ways that treat perception as a practical tool. I contribute critical enquiry, media strategy, writing, editing and visual design. My outlook is worldly, versatile and communicative.

DATA

tribe by birth American
solar orbits 36
body in India + Holland
marital variable undefined
offspring [empty set]
online presences many

KEY SKILLS

Technical
• Writing, editing, linguistic strategy
• Expert computer user (PC or Apple), savvy with Web 2.0
• Digital design, graphics, screen typography
• Research and analysis about new media

Personal
• Communication, public speaking, instruction
• Ability to translate abstractions into concrete images
• Liaison between working teams and the client

AWARDS, HONORS, MEMBERSHIPS

Phi Beta Kappa (University of Colorado, Boulder chapter)

Golden Key Honor Society (University of Colorado, Boulder chapter)

Sophia Foundation, private grant based on an essay ($1000).

McNair Postbacalaureate Achievement Program (2-year training), CU-Boulder ($3000).

Norwest Bank Academic Scholarship ($2000)

Placed reglulary on the Dean’s Honor Roll at University of Colorado

EDUCATION

Ph.D. coursework (2½ years) in Philosophy/Theology – University of Denver Focus: Philosophy of Technology and ‘Metaphysics of Media’ (my phrase).

M.A. Digital Media Studies – University of Denver
Thesis Electronic Phenomenology (2005).

B.A. English Literature – University of Colorado at Boulder
(plus one-year certificate in Technology Arts and Media).

Statement
I assert a central consistency within my educational pursuits: the mediatory dynamics of human reality. I have noticed this principle of mediation at work in literature, technologies of information and communication, and even Philosophy and mysticism. All of my interests equip me to perform syncretic engagement with new media that is an innovative approach focused upon human-media technologies as states of consciousness.

CURRENT WORK

PRO BONO – As of spring of 2010, I have been volunteering my services as a copywriter and new-media strategist to two different NGOs in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, S India:

  • Arunachala Animal Sanctuary and Rescue Shelter website
  • Arunachala Village School Trust website

In both cases, I am teaching my clients the importance of presenting engaging online content about their humanitarian activities whilst I am editing and rewriting their websites. Toward the goal of increasing donations, I am creating ‘publicity circuits’ for each non-profit, consisting of a blog, a Facebook page, a Twitter stream and a donor e-newsletter, along with improving the user interfaces of their websites.

PAST ROLES

ACADEMIC
adjunct instructor, University of Denver Digital Media Studies, ‘Critical Approaches to Digital Media’ (undergraduate core curriculum course, 2008)

RESEARCH & EDITING
editorial & research assistant to Dr Timothy Morton (English Literature, University of Colorado, 1999), and contributor to A Routledge literary sourcebook on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (cf Morton’s acknowledgments)

FIRST-TIME NOVELIST
Full Shanti (2008-10)

EVENT ORGANIZER & PROMOTER
ORBIT (Boulder, CO)
(cf ‘ Rave Archaeology ’)

EDITOR
Honor’s Journal, University of Colorado at Boulder

WEB EDITOR
Perspective House e-zine of Digital Media Studies at University of Denver (2003)

CREATOR
Extra Foam, an online coffee-house directory and social network (prototype)

ILLUSTRATOR
The Energetics of Western Herbs (2 vols) by Peter Holmes (Artemis Press: Boulder, 1991 - first edition)

PAID INTERN, COPYWRITER
TwoJet, Inc. (a content sharing and collaboration startup founded by Bret Conrad, who invented the world’s first click-in freestyle snowboard binding), working on the system’s Help manuals

FREELANCE WEB DESIGNER (9 years, cf my portfolio)
clients included nonprofits, academic programs, artists, small and medium-sized businesses, private individuals

DESIGN, DIRECT SALES, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
In the Spotlight, Inc (an online reputation management firm)

ODD JOBS
pre-school child care, barista, landscaping, retail display and signage, limousine chauffeur, personal driver for IBM execs

PERSONAL INTERESTS

I am interested in all ways in which the Arts are used to raise consciousness and empathy between people. I am an ardent reader and cinema-viewer. I participate at events that tie together new media with events in public spaces. Avid cycling, tennis and hiking have taught me the value of tenacity, but also about ‘augmented reality’, and, the importance of mind-body balance.

REFERENCES

References are available on my online LinkedIn profile.