Damon is a well-respected and very prolific public intellectual. He has written hundreds of essays for newspapers and magazines in Australia and abroad, including The Guardian, The Age/SMH, the ABC, BBC, New Philosopher, Meanjin, Aeon and more. Some of these include:
2024
‘The key to silencing a perpetually analytic mind? Video game therapy’, Review (24/8/24).
‘The case for strange daily routines’ Review (6/1/24).
2023
'Nietzsche, or the art of cultivating ideas in the free air' El País (Spain) (21/6/23).
2020
'Aryans in Love' Meanjin (79, 2, 2020).
'Hail Hydra' Griffith Review (67, 2020).
'Let's talk about sex--and philosophy', Australian Financial Review (23/11/20).
'I can't be angry with my teen for swearing (well)’ ABC (4/7/2020).
2019
'Thug Life’ New Philosopher (19, 2019)
'A commodified world’ New Philosopher (18, 2019)
'Virtue signalling’ New Philosopher (17, 2019)
2018
'The powerful, and dangerous, tale of the frugal home owners' The Canberra Times (26/2/18).
'On playing the victim' Meanjin (26/2/18)
'Why Are Swords Still a Thing?' Meanjin (77 4, 2018).
'Being embarrassed by politics is a sign that we care' The Canberra Times (16/2/18).
'A cautious argument for the scrutiny of hypocrites' Meanjin (9/2/18)
'Landlords, you provide a service and that requires minimum standards', Domain (4/4/18).
'When life was "simpler", why didn't strangers smack men on the bum?', Sydney Morning Herald (12/1/18).
'Before your next insult, remember: being smart doesn't make you a good person' The Canberra Times (3/1/18)
'Even simple food is not simple’ New Philosopher (16, 2018)
'The thief of time’ New Philosopher (15, 2018).
'Lucky Oedipus’ New Philosopher (13, 2018).
'Orwell and lamingtons’ New Philosopher (12, 2018).
'Can technology save us?’ New Philosopher (11, 2018).
2017
'The Punisher's Numb Rage' Meanjin (76, 3, 2017).
'On getting off screens' Meanjin (11/12/17).
'When politicians speak of 'mum and dad', they don't mean normal mums and dads' The Canberra Times (21/11/17).
'On moral authority' The Canberra Times (7/11/17).
'A guide for hungry bibliophiles' The Independent (Ireland) (13/8/17)
'The longing to be seen and heard (10, 2017).
'The philosopher's dogbox’ New Philosopher (9, 2017).
'Can ideas travel?’ New Philosopher (8, 2017).
'Plato said knock you out’ New Philosopher (7, 2017).
'The right side of history is wrong’ New Philosopher (6, 2017).
'The self and other explosions’ New Philosopher (5, 2017).
'Dirty thoughts on civilised leisure’ New Philosopher (4, 2017).
'Happiness is hard to find’ New Philosopher (3, 2017).
'I love, I Slay, and Am Content' Island (154, 2017)
2016
'Get Your Kicks in Batman 66' Meanjin (75 4, 2016).
'What is a mind?’ New Philosopher (2, 2016).
'Four Quarters' Meanjin (75 2, 2016).
'Away with the white dudes', Sydney Morning Herald (17/12/16).
'It is because it isn't' Aeon (22/9/16).
'Saying something's obsolete doesn't make it so' The Canberra Times (26/2/16).
'Australians' pathological indifference to the suffering of refugees' The Canberra Times (13/2/16).
'Eric Jarosinski's book 'Nein: A Manifesto' a brilliant summer read' The Canberra Times (8/1/16).
'This Foundering Polity' Island (146, 2016).
'Stupid Idiots' Island (145, 2016).
'Are Princesses Real?' Island (144, 2016).
'Secrets, Lies and Philosophy' Island (143, 2016).
2015
'I'm so humbled: what Mariah Carey and her Hollywood friends really meant to say' The Canberra Times (7/11/15).
'My darkest knight' The Age (25/9/15).
'Check your entitlement' Meanjin (74 4, 2015)
'Why the world does not exist' The Age (19/9/15).
'Meet the author: why writing is no longer just about the words' The Age (16/5/15).
'Live by the word, die by the sword' The Australian (16/5/15).
'Magic pen delivers a graphic masterpiece' The Age (7/3/15).
'Welcome back, Star Wars crew' The Canberra Times (29/12/15).
'Authenticity: is it the genuine article?' The Canberra Times (5/12/15).
'UFC 193: Why cage fighting is cruel and objectionable, but still alluring' The Canberra Times (17/11/15).
'An inquiring mind essential kit for travellers' The Canberra Times (24/4/15).
'When the benefit of the doubt is in order' The Canberra Times (23/2/15).
'Smacking children asks for a certain brutality' The Canberra Times (14/2/15).
'There might be two sides to climate change story, but only one is well informed' The Canberra Times (7/2/15).
'When it comes to quaffing, 'authenticity' has no taste' The Canberra Times (9/1/15).
'Sixty years on, we can learn from Ernest Hemingway's grim New Year's resolve' The Canberra Times (2/1/15).
'We're all Fucked' Island (142, 2015).
'Philosophy is Not a Therapy' Island (141, 2015).
'Who is the Author?' Island (140, 2015).
2014
'Austen's Fanny Price remains true to herself after two centuries' The Age (27/9/14).
'Our botanic gardens are about more than prettiness, or even science' The Guardian (18/5/14).
'On language, poetry, and Langoustine' Meanjin (21/2/14)
'Eventually, jellyfish might rule the world. What should the art world do about it?' The Guardian (19/2/14).
'Why swimming is sublime' The Guardian (7/2/14).
'Forthright defence of atheism' The Australian (18/1/14).
'If exercise was good for Charles Darwin, it's good for all of us' The Guardian (2/1/14).
'Pain comes before a punchline' The Age (22/3/14).
'Civilisation, and how to cultivate it' The Canberra Times (26/12/14).
'Meeting the challenge of Christmas' The Canberra Times (24/12/14).
'Promises, promises' The Canberra Times (9/12/14).
'Celebrity culture brings out the worst in us' The Canberra Times (2/12/14).
'Political ideals of progress are impeding our advancement' The Canberra Times (8/11/14).
'Political insults have their place, but better to engage in debate' The Canberra Times (31/10/14).
'Constancy or madness in the midsummer heat?’ ABC (15/1/14).
'Running towards a higher level' The Canberra Times (1/3/14).
'Fanny Price in the Garden' Island (139, 2014).
'Everyday Philosophy' Island (138, 2014).
'An Australian Superman' Island (137, 2014).
2013
'Curiosity vs celebrity: why do some reject fame?’ ABC (14/10/13).
'FlexiWar: a modest proposal...’ ABC (10/7/13).
'We shouldn't ask the dying to keep living’ ABC (13/5/13).
'Running on empty' The Canberra Times (7/12/13).
'Distraction - blame it on the mind, not the machines' The Age (9/11/13).
'Is "me time" a selfish pursuit?' The Age (7/10/13).
'Ever-present photography (and why it's a problem)' The Age (17/9/13).
'When it is and isn't political correctness' The Canberra Times (27/8/13).
'How to lose an argument before you've really started' The Canberra Times (19/8/13).
'No room for politics at the kitchen sink' The Canberra Times (13/8/13).
'Taste sours the sweetest food memories' The Canberra Times (8/8/13).
'What we can learn from Monet's garden' The Age (31/7/13).
'"Them" and "they": crutches for a limp existence' The Canberra Times (30/7/13).
'Free for all' The Canberra Times (3/7/13).
'Illustrating Ethical Dilemmas' Meanjin (72 2 2013).
'Trivialising women in politics' The Canberra Times (17/6/13).
'Marriage: the "ball and chain"'The Canberra Times (6/6/13).
'Mind-full: adventures of a different kind' The Age (22/5/13)
'Hopefully, wonders will never cease' The Age (5/5/13).
'The meaning of life? Here's the rundown' The Australian (27/4/13).
'Gardening is child's play' The Age (10/4/13).
'The curious pleasure of cleaning up' The Canberra Times (4/4/13).
'An encyclopaedia of Janeite love' The Age (9/2/13).
'The fashion assassins' The Canberra Times (8/1/13).
'Why the ink's not yet dry' The Age (5/1/13).
'The lure of erotic fiction' The Canberra Times (1/10/13).
'Broadband out of whack with experts' The Canberra Times (4/11/13).
'Death penalty at odds with the value we place on life' The Canberra Times (21/10/13).
'Laptop dogs growl at cost' The Canberra Times (22/7/13).
'Spectator vitriol exposes losers off court' The Canberra Times (17/7/13).
'The "specialness" of gold class cinema' The Canberra Times (25/5/13).
'In short, what we need is more wit' The Canberra Times (23/4/13).
'Chard remains' The Canberra Times (31/1/13).
'Intensity of friendships reveals a reflection of our true selves' The Canberra Times (4/1/13).
'The wisdom of gardens' Aeon (14/6/13).
'Public Writers, Private Lives' Island (135, 2013)
2012
'Talk about food should skip the bulldust' The Age (31/12/12).
'The joy of exercise, or why life lived well means a body worked hard' The Age (2/9/12).
'Play God: say yes to organ donation' The Age(30/8/12).
'Why patience is a virtue' The Canberra Times (4/8/12).
'Why karate kids are less likely to grow up to be violent men' The Age (8/7/12).
'A little bit of hush' (5/5/12).
'Cherishing the ANZAC spirit - as long as it's not going to cost' (25/4/12).
'We interrupt this program for an important message on relating' (17/4/12).
'Oh, he of little faith' The Age (17/3/12).
'Homeopathy is not a cure, it's water and consolation' The Age (16/3/12).
'Narcotic for the mind: inhale deeply then delete at will' The Age (4/3/12).
'Embracing spontaneity helps make holidays child's play' The Age (23/1/12).
'Thanks to the memory of a father who failed' The Australian (21/1/12).
'Caffeine less vital than the conviviality of a cuppa' The Age (23/1/12).
'Desire is never just a walk in the park' The Canberra Times (27/12/12).
'Deep thoughts on nature's way' The Canberra Times (12/12/12).
'Laughter: antidote to a crazy world' The Canberra Times (21/11/12).
'Politics: the good, the bad and ugly' The Canberra Times (13/11/12).
'Turnips for work; chestnuts for play' The Canberra Times (3/10/12).
'Shining a light on real values' The Canberra Times (28/10/12).
'Intellectual ambition rarely appears on the box' The Canberra Times (24/10/12).
'Every good boy deserves to...become better’ The Canberra Times (9/10/12).
'Satire the perfect way to test huffiness of today’ The Canberra Times (6/10/12).
'For sale: traditional values. Well used. Still loved’ The Canberra Times (3/10/12).
'More than promises broken when politicians recant’ The Canberra Times (28/9/12).
'Glamour can't disguise the fact that sex is still about power’ The Canberra Times (12/9/12).
'Malicious web trolls are petty, broken human beings’ The Canberra Times (8/9/12).
'Much in human nature that is dim, blind and cruel’ The Canberra Times (3/9/12).
'Throwing the book at literary prejudice’ The Canberra Times (27/8/12).
'Political lessons to learn from the United States’ The Canberra Times (13/8/12).
'Limiting exposure to the commercial cacophony’ The Canberra Times (6/8/12).
'The politics of bashing those down on their luck’ The Canberra Times (27/7/12).
'More than mere child's play’ The Canberra Times (16/7/12).
'Too easy for Google stuff to fill our vacant minds’ The Canberra Times (13/7/12).
'Papers need to lift debate standards’ The Canberra Times (9/7/12).
'To tax is to share, not to punish’ The Canberra Times (19/6/12).
'A healthy civilisation needs writers -- and readers’ The Canberra Times (7/6/12).
'Good, the bad, and the ugly: the blog's here to stay’ The Canberra Times (24/5/12).
'Never mind the quality, feel the art's price’ The Canberra Times (14/5/12).
'Gossip is easy and addictive, but also unhealthy’ The Canberra Times (3/5/12).
'We are dehumanised by automatic work processes’ The Canberra Times (24/4/12).
'Why grandmothers are key to familial wellbeing’ The Canberra Times (16/4/12).
'Savouring the magic of the local bookshop’ The Canberra Times (2/4/12).
'Fun between the covers with long-dead strangers’ The Canberra Times (9/3/12).
'Stop submerging status in the subservience of "sir"‘ The Canberra Times (1/3/12).
'Honour? Thanks but no thanks’ The Canberra Times (13/2/12).
'Navigating the conditions of unconditional love’ The Canberra Times (31/1/12).
'Impossible vanity of caring for everything at once’ The Canberra Times (16/1/12).
'Norse lessons from across the rainbow bridge’ The Canberra Times (11/1/12).
'As copyright ends, we can take the literary plunge’ The Canberra Times (6/1/12).
'Nurturing a healthy lifestyle is food for thought’ The Canberra Times (3/1/12).
'Biographical daydream’ ABC (4/1/12).
'The garden in the library: Cicero and the stuff of life’ ABC (21/12/12).
'Gods can teach us--just don't worship them’ ABC (7/12/12).
'A myth understanding’ ABC (23/11/12).
'Private faith v public faith’ ABC (9/11/12).
'Critical thinking critical to teaching’ ABC (26/10/12).
'An adoring family does not a feminist politician make’ ABC (9/10/12).
'The "herd" instinct’ ABC (5/10/12).
'The fictional universe of the spiritual illuminati’ ABC (24/9/12).
'The fight for common sense’ ABC (21/9/12).
'Princesses and superheroes: the consequences of gender roles’ ABC (7/9/12).
'Coffee with David Hume’ ABC (23/8/12).
'Everyone picks on the fat kid’ ABC (10/8/12).
'Our alien and desiccated home’ ABC (30/7/12).
'Is God interesting?’ ABC (27/7/12).
'Surviving the suburban purgatory of the school run’ ABC (13/7/12).
'Christ's love is bad medicine’ ABC (29/6/12).
'The Mayans and the end of thought’ ABC (15/6/12).
'A letter from a god’ ABC (1/6/12).
'Darwin's modest discovery of evolution’ ABC (18/5/12).
'If God is dead or dying, why criticise religion?’ ABC (4/5/12).
'The Bible just isn't funny’ ABC (27/4/12).
'Prayer is delusional but its power can be real’ ABC (20/4/12).
'Believers share their dubious apologetics with Trekkers’ ABC (13/4/12).
'Infinite debt of a Christian faith’ ABC (6/4/12)
'Art without god’ ABC (30/3/12).
'Universe's magnificence without the narcissistic supernaturalism’ ABC (23/3/12).
'Waiting for God: an ultimate power’ ABC (16/3/12).
'Liberating a popular literary invention: the Lord’ ABC (9/3/12).
'Why worry about theology?’ ABC (1/3/12).
'Sympathy for the devil’ ABC (24/2/12).
'Religion and politics: dangers of policy based on faith’ ABC (17/2/12).
'Atheism and growing up’ ABC (10/2/12).
'The Ultimate Fighter, priest-style: piety and religious vice’ ABC (2/2/12).
'Friends in high places’ ABC (27/1/12).
'Astrology: an odd mix of humility and arrogance’ ABC (19/1/12).
'The symbolism and rage of victimhood’ ABC (12/1/12).
'Do scientists have faith?’ ABC (3/1/12).
'The gift of literary moonshine' The West Australian (5/3/12).
'Tragic intimacy' Griffith Review (35, 2012).
2011
'The Devilish Art' Meanjin (70 2, 2011).
'The Reader's Duties' Meanjin (70 1, 2011).
'Revelling without a cause can leave you low in spirit' The Age (31/12/11).
'Listen up: this rapper's the Dylan of his day' The Age (28/11/11).
'What I'm reading' Meanjin (17/10/11).
'Not idle, but thinking big' The Age (8/10/11).
'Holding thoughts to the minimum' The Age (5/10/11).
The price of freedom' The Australian (7/9/11).
'Open the pod bay doors, HAL' The Australian (27/8/11).
'Weak and dimwitted humans in a world run by machines' The Age (8/6/11).
'Life's lessons found packed in a removalist's box' The Age (21/5/11).
'Getting to grips with unnatural urges' The Age (30/4/11).
'Familiarity breeds content for old gallery's loyal patrons' The Age (21/4/11).
'Super-rich exceptions closer to being the rule' The Age (2/4/11).
'Ennui need not be dull' The Australian (19/3/11).
'Research the name of the game' The Australian (2/3/11).
'Turn video games into more than child's play' The Age (14/1/11).
'The crisis and the cure' The Age (1/1/11)
'The symbols of Christmas’ ABC (26/12/11).
'Hitchens and infuriating faith’ ABC (22/12/11).
'Martial arts and the mind’ ABC (16/12/11).
'Out with the caricatures!’ ABC (9/12/11).
'Politics and loyalty: to the party or the person?’ ABC (2/12/11).
'What was Socrates the radical philosopher doing in Bolt's blog?’ ABC (25/11/11).
'For better, for worse, for satin, for cufflinks’ ABC (18/11/11).
'The world is not enough for supernaturalists’ ABC (10/11/11).
'Paranormal success is a psychic's only power’ ABC (3/11/11).
'Atheists, creationists and the pitfalls of public debate’ ABC (27/10/11).
'God, man, and the Obedient Wives Club’ ABC (20/10/11).
'Book of Jobs: electronic Eden not paradise for everyone’ ABC (11/10/11).
'Communication: it's always better when we're together’ ABC (22/9/11).
'A boy's world through rose-coloured glasses’ ABC (11/4/11).
'Can a job really be worse than unemploymnt?’ ABC (1/4/11).
'The paper's place in a digital world’ ABC (13/1/11).
'Exercise your mind and the body will follow' The Age (13/7/11).
'It's time to let the fizz out of these sickening drinks’ The Canberra Times (16/12/11).
'Children's stories need a moral side’ The Canberra Times (12/12/11).
'At times, pedants are just revolting’ The Canberra Times (29/11/11).
'Practical, proud paths of civility’ The Canberra Times (24/10/11).
'Not easy to be an older parent, but it's not selfish’ The Canberra Times (10/10/11).
'Memory lane is a learning curve’ The Canberra Times (3/10/11).
'The work/life divide: time to think about getting it right’ The Canberra Times (26/9/11).
'Why Australia is one of the least corrupt nations’ The Canberra Times (29/8/11).
'Violence runs deep within young men’ The Canberra Times (13/8/11).
'Fountain of the imagination and joy in the hand’ The Canberra Times (8/8/11).
'Tastes that narrate our lives’ The Canberra Times (26/7/11).
'Smokers: 'liberated', but not free’ The Canberra Times (22/7/11).
'Cinema puts us all on the same stage’ The Canberra Times (11/7/11).
'On-the-spot fines for swearing fans the fire’ The Canberra Times (6/6/11).
'Very witty Wilde, but what about this weather?’ The Canberra Times (26/5/11).
'Counting the cost of credit card debt’ The Canberra Times (18/5/11).
'Don't write off female front-line warriors just yet’ The Canberra Times (20/4/11).
'Desperately seeking nothing of real importance’ The Canberra Times (10/4/11).
'A time to plant, and a time to harvest’ The Canberra Times (7/4/11).
'Families are slaves to an age of debt’ The Canberra Times (11/3/11).
'Penning books for the young no life sentence’ The Canberra Times (25/2/11).
'Gossip adds to woes in office’ The Canberra Times (14/2/11)
'It's a juggle, but parents can love in the struggle’ The Canberra Times (7/2/11).
'Internet a tool for tyranny as well as democracy’ The Canberra Times (4/2/11).
'Courage keeps society a civil one’ The Canberra Times (31/1/11).
'Along with our grapes, we're maturing nicely’ The Canberra Times (24/1/11).
'Kicking away the crutches of luxury’ The Canberra Times (18/1/11).
'Legalizing mixed martial arts in New York' New York Daily News (16/1/11).
'Boxing is liberating for men -- and now for women' Indianapolis Star (14/4/11).
2010
'My Melbourne Spring' Meanjin (69 3, 2010).
'Spring's gentle nudge to leave winter's walls behind' The Age (15/9/10).
'Too much screen time means our lives lack dimension' The Age(28/7/10).
'You don't need Jesus to enjoy Christmas' The Age (20/12/10).
'Philosophy as a contact sport' The Australian (8/12/10).
'Fighting can nurture the soul - just ask Plato' The Sydney Morning Herald (27/11/10).
'A balanced life holds amazing rewards' The Age (15/11/10).
'Father knows best: don't buy into this false festival' The Age (4/9/10).
'Instructive lesson in class at the auctioneers' The Age (18/8/10).
'Quiet now, your soul is healing' The Age (17/7/10).
'A little smut goes a long way' The Age (23/6/10).
'Empty pockets and wonky careers can provide a richer life' The Age (19/5/10).
'Taking a bite out of Apple's vision' The Age (18/5/10).
'In moments like these, we need mentors' The Age(26/4/10).
'Autumn glory lets us count our blessings' The Age (2/4/10).
'Forget the cheap shots, cage fighting is a virtuous sport' The Sydney Morning Herald (12/4/10).
'Channel your rage, young man' The Age (9/01/10).
'Time to put down the pen and join the human race’ The Canberra Times (27/12/10).
'These feet are made just for walking’ The Canberra Times (20/12/10).
'The big four are well overdrawn on humanity’ The Canberra Times (10/11/10).
'Why backflips by politicians are steeped in such negativity’ The Canberra Times (18/10/10).
'Playing outside has many benefits’ The Canberra Times (13/10/10).
'The marvels of what is’ ABC (17/12/10.
'Feminism: a struggle shared’ ABC (3/12/10).
'Stop and think: it's World Philosophy Day’ ABC (18/11/10).
'Editors: strange, misunderstood, essential’ ABC (15/11/10).
'Digitally surfing the flushable sea’ ABC (20/10/10)
'The wisdom of illness’ ABC (1/10/10).
'Why write?’ ABC (10/9/10).
'Guiltlessly myopic electioneering’ ABC (17/8/10).
'Mentally sexy dads’ ABC (30/7/10).
'A rhythmic, sweaty meditation’ ABC (18/6/10).
'Not just for geeks’ ABC (11/6/10).
'Skinny vs healthy debate’ ABC (6/4/10).
'The distraction society' BBC (7/5/10).
2009
'Should auld acquaintance and bad times be forgot?' The Age (28/12/09).
'An enriching, illuminating, bonding, godless Christmas' The Age(23/12/09).
'A bad review can be a learning experience The Age (21/12/09).
'The urge for single-sex fraternity will remain strong' The Age (27/11/09).
'Identifying with the victims, not the killers' The Age (11/11/09)
'Celebrity adoptions expose our hypocrisy' The Age (14/9/09).
'We don't need Dylan on satnav to be driven to distraction' The Age (1/9/09).
'Dreams don't come in installments' The Age (18/8/09).
'Reality she wrote: Austen's top tips' The Age (7/7/09).
'Your numbers may never come up, but dream on' The Age (2/7/09).
'To remain relevant, that is the dilemma The Age (19/5/09).
'Channel the rage: teach boys to fight' The Age (22/4/09).
'A time for reflection’ ABC (7/12/09).
'When will the shallowness end?’ ABC (2/11/09).
'Write on’ ABC (12/10/09).
'Light bulb moment’ ABC (4/9/09).
'The shape of love’ ABC (9/7/09).
'Plant for the future, not the past’ ABC (17/3/09).
'Junk ethics’ ABC (16/9/08).
'Sweetest tastes of Easter are not found in chocolate eggs' The Herald Sun (11/4/09).
iPod down, stand up for a lady' The Herald Sun (17/11/09).
2008
'On fiction and philosophy' Meanjin (67 4, 2008).
'The languorous siesta: on summer reading' Meanjin (66 4, 67 1, 2007/8).
'Merry hell' The Australian (20/12/08).
'Here's a thought - turn off the TV, tune into life' The Age (24/11/08).
'Driven by distraction' (5/7/08).
'Lives driven to distraction' The Herald Sun (22/9/08).
'Seasonal magic of creating happiness' The Herald Sun (25/12/08).
2007
'A Sparta for our times' Meanjin (66 2, 2007).
2006
'Faith without God' Meanjin (65 4, 2006).
2005
'Facing Nietzsche's demon' Meanjin (64 3, 2005).