Articles



  • Government Shutdowns: A Call for Accountability
    This week’s call to action is something everyone can get on board with! Find out what both sides say will help solve the government shutdown conundrum.
  • The Escapism Artist
    Written by Dastem Angelica’s father worked as a prison janitor just up the road from their small, one-bedroom apartment. Although he usually stayed drunk in between his long work hours, there was never any doubt in Angelica’s mind that he loved her. He just wasn’t always good at showing it.  By contrast, her mother had… Read more: The Escapism Artist
  • Altered Reality: When Belief Becomes Self-Delusion
    Is it wrong to laugh so hard at someone else’s discomfort? Asking for a friend…
  • Finding Common Ground in Diverse Beliefs
    Written by Dastem I took some time off over the past few months to enjoy the bounties of summer. Yet, even after school started back up, I’ve had trouble getting back into the swing of writing every day. Some might call it ‘writer’s block’.   The truth, however, is that there’s no shortage of topics to… Read more: Finding Common Ground in Diverse Beliefs
  • Treatise on Greatness
    The Dantian Project examines the economic power of the US from 1900 to 2023, highlighting wealth distribution, taxation, consumer prices, and immigration trends across different eras to establish when America was most economically robust.
  • The Student Loan Dilemma: A Train Wreck of Epic Proportions
    The student loan debate highlights sharp divides, yet understanding diverse experiences reveals a complex issue. Proposed reforms aim to address systemic problems, seeking common ground for a fairer solution.
  • Is Society Slowly Burning?
    This article reflects on a fire maintenance metaphor, comparing it to the dynamics displayed by the U.S. government, emphasizing the importance of balance, efficiency, and tolerance in overcoming societal challenges.
  • The Challenge of the Independent Chicken
    This week’s article compares humans to chickens, highlighting our tendency to follow the flock rather than think independently. Using a chicken named Violet as an example, Dastem questions society’s support for free thinkers.
  • Road Rage and Civil War: Common Denominators
    This week’s post discusses a road rage incident reflecting broader societal divides. It highlights how differing views on law adherence can lead to conflict, urging for mutual understanding and consensus in a polarized world.
  • Freedom and Expression in The United States
    A childhood lesson reflects on freedom and independence. Inspired by the Ruby Ridge incident, Dastem questions the state of personal expression in America and the importance of tolerance in discourse.
  • America: Republic or Democracy?
    Dastem discusses the challenges of engaging in political debates on social media, highlights the conflict between definitions of democracy and republic in the U.S., and encourages understanding and patience.
  • The State of Nature
    Dastem explores survival in nature, emphasizing the necessity of fire, shelter, and food. He poses philosophical questions about the role of government in society and seeks a balance between minimalism and support.
  • Government Inefficiency: The Three-Legged Table
    Dastem compares a dysfunctional three-legged table to a flawed government, highlighting issues like homelessness, media integrity, safety, and education, arguing that society needs effective governance to maintain balance and support its citizens.
  • The Fractured State of U.S. Education
    In this article, Dastem examines the challenges society faces in fostering an educational system that serves everyone, drawing parallels to the U.S. credit industry and its failures to accomplish its most fundamental goals.
  • Cryptids of Violence
    A narrative about a metaphorical creature, the Slide-Rock Bolter, represents humanity’s intrinsic violence. It urges introspection to confront personal monsters and shares a tale of a ranger who defeated this beast.

Dastem

A student of life, seeking truth in a world of lies and illumination in a world of shadows, Dastem’s writing is both provocative and engaging.

His mission behind The Dantian Project is to find the center of what makes us each truly and uniquely human.

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