Thoughts on Burning Man?

[Brandi555]

I actually have several questions.
Are you going?
Have you ever gone?
What was it like?
Why you want to, or don’t want to go?

[Staximus]

There's two guys that go every year that come into my work all the time. They said back in the day it was really cool and a bunch of hippies and stuff, like a big party in the desert. Now there's too many people and a lot of bourgeois yuppies trying to have some kind of cool experience. Getting in and out of there is stupid and takes all day, it's a big traffic jam. There's no water or food or anything out there, so you have to bring everything in and bring everything out. You have to haul all your trash out I believe but don't quote me on that. You can't leave anything behind.

[jahaims]

Eh turned into the cool thing to do vs. The experience it used to be

[Brandi555]

You’ve been?

[Paige90]

I have never been but want to go.

[Brandi555]

What about it makes you want to go?

[Paige90]

The music and the freedom to do and be what you want. Nudity is a big part of BM.

[Brandi555]

Damn, you’re all about the nudity lol. But I mean it sounds fun but isn’t it like really dirty? And no showers, and I don’t even wanna think about the bathrooms. But then again people seem to love it. I don't know.

[Paige90]

Not sure about the restrooms

[Brandi555]

Prolly dirty. 🥴

[beefcakebradybatson]

Seemingly a great white middle-to-upper-middle class pseudo-hippie getaway.

[WonderingManII]

My thoughts about being burned is OUCH!

[Brandi555]

Wym?

[beefcakebradybatson]

Lotta weed, too.(I don't smoke tobacco, let alone cannabis.)

[Brandi555]

Ok. I feel like that’s a reason not to go

[beefcakebradybatson]

Plus I'm BLACK !!!

[Brandi555]

Ok. And?

[WonderingManII]

@brandi555
I had to look up what this burning man thing even is. Doesn't sound like a life idea that I would completely agree with.

Burning Man is an annual event held in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, known for its vibrant art installations, self-expression, and community-based ethos. It's not just a festival; it's a temporary city, Black Rock City, built from scratch each year with a focus on radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, gifting, and decommodification. Participants are expected to bring everything they need for survival and participate in creating a temporary, unique, and ephemeral community.

Art and Expression:
Burning Man is renowned for its large-scale art installations, many of which are burned at the end of the event, symbolizing impermanence and transformation. Participants are encouraged to express themselves creatively through art, performance, and costumes.

Community and Participation:
Burning Man emphasizes participation and community building. A "gift economy" prevails, where participants give and share with each other, rather than engaging in commercial transactions.

Self-Reliance:
Participants are responsible for bringing their own supplies, including food, water, and shelter, fostering a culture of self-sufficiency.

Decommodification:
The event operates on the principle of decommodification, meaning there is no commercial advertising, transactions, or sponsorships.

Leave No Trace:
A core principle is "leave no trace," requiring participants to remove all their belongings and waste from the desert, leaving it as they found it.

Ethos:
Burning Man is guided by ten principles, including radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, gifting, decommodification, participation, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, immediacy, and participation according to the Burning Man Journal.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Burning Man is about 98% white. I'd stand out like a cover boy handsome black thumb.

[WonderingManII]

@beefcakebradybatson I'm sorry to hear that.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Why would I be sorry about being handsome and bright?

[WonderingManII]

@beefcakebradybatson I'm sorry that you feel out of place? I'm sorry that I don't understand.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Though I've gone to rock and Country concerts where I've been the or nearly the only black person.