Well written, as usual. Being a Boomer, I am unlikely to ever attend the event. But I can draw some conclusions based on your report. It seems to me that Burning Man is a kind of ad hoc small town, created for a short while. Everyone is neighbors with everyone, politics come down to the here and now, and the availability of IRL interaction eliminates the need for constant social media. When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s, this is how life was in small town America. Kudos to those of you who have recaptured the vibe.
As a fellow boomer, it strikes me that Burning Man is an institutionalized version of Woodstock - thousands of people from around the country coming together to use/abuse various substances, listen to some truly great music, and feel part of an utterly nonjudgmental community. There was also a massive thunderstorm, lots of mud, etc. This event also evinced wide-spread condemnation proving that, at bottom, America is still a very puritanical country which Mencken described as "the fear that someone, somewhere is having a good time. How sad.
Well said Bill. They say if you remember Woodstock you weren't there. I wasn't, and wouldn't have had the funds go if I'd wanted to. When you look at footage from Woodstock, there's another thing that I find striking: almost none of the participants are obese, or even slightly overweight. If, as the song says, they were half a million strong, that's a real testimony to how far the health of the country has fallen in 50 years.
Just so. The other consistent image was that everyone was smiling, laughing, and having a good time. Don't see that image much anymore. Speaks to fallen mental/spiritual health perhaps. Sad.
Funny, I just had a flashback to my experiences in Vietnam. Outsiders also had lots of long winded opinions about what they knew nothing about. I have no opinion about burning man, good or bad. Not my gig. One connection however, in high school I lived above that beach and we did fires and stuff many summer nights. Glad you liked the experience Lee, good report. Reminds me why I’m not on social media. Except here perhaps.
I’m glad you’re safe Lee, and that your experience was mostly positive. I’m not a burner but I’ve got many friends who are, so I’m pretty second-hand familiar with the community. While I’m no stranger to busting burner balls (sometimes good-natured ribbing can keep us all humble) I agree that what is being described in the media is absurd.
I honestly have to wonder if these are real people starting the online hatemobs. Sure, shitty people exist and many of them have social media accounts, but what if? What if this shit was all a fucked up experiment to see how easily a handful of people controlling accounts (be they bots, paid trolls, whatever) could influence large numbers of people to do / say evil shit? Or just celebrate human suffering? Even encourage violence?
Obviously I can’t prove my theory, but some days you really have to wonder...
It’s more of an ego stroke and feeds our incessant need to feel important. It’s much easier to be controversial than intelligent. Stir up trouble than create.
Interesting. Guess it’s more of a faceless-interaction driving lack of empathy thing? Extreme keyboard warriorism? I once saw a docu narrated/hosted by John Cleese about the human behavior and the face that covered something like that.
Thanks. I was all ready to buy into the downbeat description that apparently is just an incorrect stereotype. It’s a great feeling to learn I’m wrong about something...that’s how I learn and grow.
Reminds me a lot of the way it felt to be out in the parking lots and surrounds of a Grateful Dead concert at Autzen Stadium. Those moments are rare, and many never experience them. Those who have must never forget what it feels like to be truly free. Thanks Lee.
I no longer drink, i’m not into drugs, i’m married (monogamous), and love recreation in nature (surfing, biking, kiting, etc). Would burning man be fun for me? I realize online psychiatry is difficult, but I’m curious as to people’s thoughts?
I met several people who didn’t drink or do drugs and had a good time. Many married and retired couples. No idea if it’s right for you but inebriation isn’t a requirement at all.
I've never been but now I understand why some of my friends just love Burning Man. Thanks for this wonderful report. I think there are other more local Burning Man events, no? Thanks again!
I know burning man is huge and unique and had issues, but I did attend a small (and cheap) regional burn this year, and the communal spirit of generosity etc Lee describes was so amazingly beautiful to me that I'm attending another this fall and another next spring. You can make it what you want. But merely tossing my phone away, forgetting about time, and connecting with other humans in an open and loving spirit and do-it-yourself-all-together makes it all worth it.
As for Twitter reaction, what a bunch of hypocrites.
Thanks for the great report. I’ve never been (nor wanted to go due to potential dust storms) but the vibe you describe reminds me of the many great Dead shows I went to.😘
I been to Rainbow Gatherings and the same applies. No need for a police force. Everyone behaves very nicely and respectfully. Gives you faith in humanity once again. Those outside that bubble only see reflections of themselves in its mirror-like surface. Beneath is a whole other world. One we should be so lucky to visit from time to time.
Kind of amazing that the environments create such a notable absence of the need for a police force. Makes ya kinda wonder if we've been being sold something we don't need, or perhaps even a disease rather than a cure, this whole time.
It does sound lovely having no need for a police force but in this case, it's not accurate. Burning Man is always well policed and arrests are made throughout the event.
You're spot on. Never been. Had a strong interest in attending this one but couldn't find a group to go with (paralysis by analysis). I just read too much and thought you were implying there were no police present and remembered reading that article I posted the link to. My apologies. I didn't realize you were an attendee and of course would already know that.
I'm not so sure about that. The people that go to burning man have self-selected and, I'm guessing, because of this that the vast majority of them will never be persons of interest for the police.
Well written, as usual. Being a Boomer, I am unlikely to ever attend the event. But I can draw some conclusions based on your report. It seems to me that Burning Man is a kind of ad hoc small town, created for a short while. Everyone is neighbors with everyone, politics come down to the here and now, and the availability of IRL interaction eliminates the need for constant social media. When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s, this is how life was in small town America. Kudos to those of you who have recaptured the vibe.
Agree. Lees take reminded me of our small town, our church, and when our small town got hit by a tornado in 2021.
As a fellow boomer, it strikes me that Burning Man is an institutionalized version of Woodstock - thousands of people from around the country coming together to use/abuse various substances, listen to some truly great music, and feel part of an utterly nonjudgmental community. There was also a massive thunderstorm, lots of mud, etc. This event also evinced wide-spread condemnation proving that, at bottom, America is still a very puritanical country which Mencken described as "the fear that someone, somewhere is having a good time. How sad.
Well said Bill. They say if you remember Woodstock you weren't there. I wasn't, and wouldn't have had the funds go if I'd wanted to. When you look at footage from Woodstock, there's another thing that I find striking: almost none of the participants are obese, or even slightly overweight. If, as the song says, they were half a million strong, that's a real testimony to how far the health of the country has fallen in 50 years.
Just so. The other consistent image was that everyone was smiling, laughing, and having a good time. Don't see that image much anymore. Speaks to fallen mental/spiritual health perhaps. Sad.
Thanks for the refreshing report!
Funny, I just had a flashback to my experiences in Vietnam. Outsiders also had lots of long winded opinions about what they knew nothing about. I have no opinion about burning man, good or bad. Not my gig. One connection however, in high school I lived above that beach and we did fires and stuff many summer nights. Glad you liked the experience Lee, good report. Reminds me why I’m not on social media. Except here perhaps.
I’m glad you’re safe Lee, and that your experience was mostly positive. I’m not a burner but I’ve got many friends who are, so I’m pretty second-hand familiar with the community. While I’m no stranger to busting burner balls (sometimes good-natured ribbing can keep us all humble) I agree that what is being described in the media is absurd.
I honestly have to wonder if these are real people starting the online hatemobs. Sure, shitty people exist and many of them have social media accounts, but what if? What if this shit was all a fucked up experiment to see how easily a handful of people controlling accounts (be they bots, paid trolls, whatever) could influence large numbers of people to do / say evil shit? Or just celebrate human suffering? Even encourage violence?
Obviously I can’t prove my theory, but some days you really have to wonder...
The hate mobs are real but I find when I meet the people in real life behind the accounts, the online personalities are completely contrived.
It’s more of an ego stroke and feeds our incessant need to feel important. It’s much easier to be controversial than intelligent. Stir up trouble than create.
Interesting. Guess it’s more of a faceless-interaction driving lack of empathy thing? Extreme keyboard warriorism? I once saw a docu narrated/hosted by John Cleese about the human behavior and the face that covered something like that.
Unfortunately, I believe I am, in real life, every bit the jerk I appear to be sometimes online.
😀
Thanks. I was all ready to buy into the downbeat description that apparently is just an incorrect stereotype. It’s a great feeling to learn I’m wrong about something...that’s how I learn and grow.
So the msm got it wrong. Well that has never happened before! I am laughing so hard I am crying.
Being a committed progressive means never having to say “I’m happy!”
Reminds me a lot of the way it felt to be out in the parking lots and surrounds of a Grateful Dead concert at Autzen Stadium. Those moments are rare, and many never experience them. Those who have must never forget what it feels like to be truly free. Thanks Lee.
Always found it to be the best part of the show.
Absolutely it was!
I no longer drink, i’m not into drugs, i’m married (monogamous), and love recreation in nature (surfing, biking, kiting, etc). Would burning man be fun for me? I realize online psychiatry is difficult, but I’m curious as to people’s thoughts?
I met several people who didn’t drink or do drugs and had a good time. Many married and retired couples. No idea if it’s right for you but inebriation isn’t a requirement at all.
Nice counterpoint.
Probably not my thing (perhaps anymore) but great to hear it was good for those who were there. Takes us all.
Thanks for the on-the-er-mud reporting of what it’s really like.
I've never been but now I understand why some of my friends just love Burning Man. Thanks for this wonderful report. I think there are other more local Burning Man events, no? Thanks again!
I know burning man is huge and unique and had issues, but I did attend a small (and cheap) regional burn this year, and the communal spirit of generosity etc Lee describes was so amazingly beautiful to me that I'm attending another this fall and another next spring. You can make it what you want. But merely tossing my phone away, forgetting about time, and connecting with other humans in an open and loving spirit and do-it-yourself-all-together makes it all worth it.
As for Twitter reaction, what a bunch of hypocrites.
Thanks for the great report. I’ve never been (nor wanted to go due to potential dust storms) but the vibe you describe reminds me of the many great Dead shows I went to.😘
I been to Rainbow Gatherings and the same applies. No need for a police force. Everyone behaves very nicely and respectfully. Gives you faith in humanity once again. Those outside that bubble only see reflections of themselves in its mirror-like surface. Beneath is a whole other world. One we should be so lucky to visit from time to time.
Kind of amazing that the environments create such a notable absence of the need for a police force. Makes ya kinda wonder if we've been being sold something we don't need, or perhaps even a disease rather than a cure, this whole time.
It does sound lovely having no need for a police force but in this case, it's not accurate. Burning Man is always well policed and arrests are made throughout the event.
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/the-police-reports-from-burning-man-2022-are-out-17431416.php
Yeah there's some cops there, but compared to what actually happens, they don't do much. Seems like you've not been to the playa :)
You're spot on. Never been. Had a strong interest in attending this one but couldn't find a group to go with (paralysis by analysis). I just read too much and thought you were implying there were no police present and remembered reading that article I posted the link to. My apologies. I didn't realize you were an attendee and of course would already know that.
I'm not so sure about that. The people that go to burning man have self-selected and, I'm guessing, because of this that the vast majority of them will never be persons of interest for the police.
Ah, but we are all persons of interest for the police. That's why it's called a "police state". Especially California.