Email correspondence I had with the SBCI Institute (Society of Social Behavior and Group Conformity Institute) regarding apathy and ignorance in today's society

SBCI: Damon, after you contacted our institute, we had a look at your website and read many of the comments / interviews and decided to contact you regarding much of the work we do in the field of behavior studies. As pessimistic it may seem to other people, I would admit you are absolutely correct in your assessment, one must not dismiss him/herself within this behavioral framework, but I do empathize with your situation. And yes it has increased significantly in recent years.

DP: Oh it's incredible, I mean it's really sad. I send hundreds/thousands of DVD's, tapes, and offers of free copies of my films to other people in the same field (i.e., Star Wars Mockumentary tapes to Star Wars fan-sites, Reflections of Evil DVD's to horror sites, and so and so on, etc etc) People just do not, will not respond, nor do they seem to care, I find it incredible! And of course you've read about our experiences passing out free DVD's at screenings, festivals, conventions, etc, it was difficult giving them away!! People just seem to instantly dismiss/ignore/recoil in fear to these things, (but a FREE MOVIE??) I mean I don't get it. If someone offered or gave me a free copy of some amazing indie film, (especially one that just showed up in the mail one day!) I wouldn't ignore it, I'd respond!! I'd be curious! I'd be delighted, I'd be amazed! Am I so alone in this world of seeming apathetic robots enclosed in their egocentric shells? I mean, Jesus H Christ it's REALLY gotten bad these days, again I'm not saying I'm the most altrusitic person on the planet but I NEVER instantly ignore things and people, especially other artists/filmmakers promoting their work.

I mean, the film industry (in general and specific) has always been this way to an extreme degree, you have to expect that. Unless you know someone or are "solicited" in some compelling way, forget it. Nobody will give you the time of day, your a "kook" a "wild flake", a non-existant human being. You will be eschewed and ignored to death This is so out of balance with the harmony of the universe and natural laws of human decency it amazes me anything gets accomplished within the industry. How can human beings so ignorant and pompous and dismissive be allowed to "succeed" with control and power? But this is generally always the case isn't it? They do it through fear, as has been the case through the age's but why must this go on? Why can't decent, open-minded/hearted individuals be in power for once?

SBCI: Yes, again we empathize. It is true, as you say, people are retreating further into their shell's. It is a connected trend that affects the entire well-being of this planet as well, politics, culture, laws, moral structure, freedom, truth, creativity and openness are just part of a deteriorating field. We have also conducted many studies on conformity and found this trend to be worsening as well, I would have hoped people would be more inclined to decide for themselves at this point in history. But in fact, there seems to be more control and manipulation on free thought and speech.

By the way, thank you for sending us one of your films, you had our staff in stitches. I'm not an expert on the independent film scene but I would say amazing work Damon. I too am amazed and saddened the response has been so non-existant.

DP: Thanks, yea I don't know what to say, it's hopeless. It's a time of darkness and hopelessness, sometimes I think the best thing that could happen here on planet earth is mass annihilation and complete armageddon, a time to cleanse, wash away the ashes, re-grow and start over. It's too late, we blew it.