08-12-2014, 10:31 AM
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Industry Vet
Industry Role:
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Posts: 2,663
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pornmasta
can you elaborate on this point please ?
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Burning Man is infamously difficult to describe because it is an experience that is without a good reference for most people. But to answer your question, it is a gathering of people from all over the world to one of the most god-forsaken places on the planet. An ancient dry lake bed where nothing can live. There are no plants, no animals, no bugs. It's windy, it's hot, and it's dusty. However, it IS a blank canvas upon which to build and people come there and bring their creativity with them, at their own expense. Even paying to be there. You have to provide everything you need to survive. Nothing is for sale there (except ice and a coffee/tea place in Center Cafe whose proceeds go to local charity). Money is not allowed. No vendors. No (visible) sponsors. No branding. Contrary to popular myth, it is not a barter community. It is a gift economy. You don't trade this for that, you give. And you receive. The only things provided for you are porta potties (let's face it, there's no way around that one), a center cafe where people can get coffee and shade, and the organization of the city plan which includes a hospital, a post office, a fire station, and even an airport. For one week, it is Nevada's third largest city. But, only for one week.
Yet, the magic that is the experience of burning man is created by it's participants. It is a non-spectator event. You find your way to contribute (and trust me there are plenty of ways no matter what your personality type). Some camps spend over six-figures to bring their contribution to the city for an event they can't profit from financially.
I've been to several festivals but never have I been to one where there are no trash cans. There are NONE at burning man. And yet, it is the cleanest "festival" I've ever attended. The degree of self-reliance and "Leave no Trace" that is part of the core principles of BMAN has created an environment that you just don't see anywhere else.
For me, it's great to be in a place where my cell phone doesn't work (and neither does anyone elses), there is no Internet connectivity (well there is some limited but it's not part of your life and is spotty at best if it works at all), where I see no default world advertising, where I'm not getting in my car (but I might be riding a massive mutant vehicle mad-max style across the desert), where I'm not pulling out my wallet all day long, where I'm somewhat disconnected from the rest of the world for a while, all while being surrounded by some of the most creative free spirits, artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and open minded people anywhere.
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-- Rand
Payment Industry - Communications - Quality Assurance
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