Burning Man Meetup August 26, 2004 2:21 PM Subscribe
I posted Hackworth's proposed Burning Man meetup coordinates at MonkeyFilter. It looks like we have the makings of a small MoFi/MeFi meetup (a first?). Time & place inside.
Cue the disparaging remarks about BM and MoFi (or - imagine this - just keep them to yourself!)
Cue the disparaging remarks about BM and MoFi (or - imagine this - just keep them to yourself!)
I'm never going to forgive you, scarabic, for going forward with this after you already knew of my shift to sling ice at that time. You'll have to take your own damn pictures now!
What, you have that covered? Drats... *shakes fist*
Y'all are forgiven if you pay me a visit at Camp Arctica.
posted by DaShiv at 2:31 PM on August 26, 2004
What, you have that covered? Drats... *shakes fist*
Y'all are forgiven if you pay me a visit at Camp Arctica.
posted by DaShiv at 2:31 PM on August 26, 2004
DaShiv - you won't have to forgive me. We're going to cruise over to CampArctica on Monday and swap your shift for another one. If we can't make that happen, then we'll all take a walk into Center Camp and say hi to you.
posted by scarabic at 2:33 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by scarabic at 2:33 PM on August 26, 2004
Oh - and thanks for digging up that map, DaShiv. Nice to have it ahead of time.
posted by scarabic at 2:36 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by scarabic at 2:36 PM on August 26, 2004
We've invited monkeys to our DC meetups before, and once, a monkey even came! :()
Sounds like fun; looking forward to your pictures!
posted by onlyconnect at 2:41 PM on August 26, 2004
Sounds like fun; looking forward to your pictures!
posted by onlyconnect at 2:41 PM on August 26, 2004
FIRE. FIRE. FIRE. FIRE.
I hope you sonsofbitches burn like thermite in a blast furnace. /jealous.
No, really. Burn it up. Have fun. Be safe and piss clear and all that. Lick a stranger for me. Hump some art. Eat some dust.
Didya know that I've met some burners that have brought home some magic playa dust to use as seasoning for cooking with? They actually keep it in a shaker jar in with the rest of the cooking stuff in the kitchen. Sick, sick monkeys.
posted by loquacious at 3:05 PM on August 26, 2004
I hope you sonsofbitches burn like thermite in a blast furnace. /jealous.
No, really. Burn it up. Have fun. Be safe and piss clear and all that. Lick a stranger for me. Hump some art. Eat some dust.
Didya know that I've met some burners that have brought home some magic playa dust to use as seasoning for cooking with? They actually keep it in a shaker jar in with the rest of the cooking stuff in the kitchen. Sick, sick monkeys.
posted by loquacious at 3:05 PM on August 26, 2004
Dude. Magnesium sulfite in the spice rack? That's nasty!
posted by scarabic at 3:17 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by scarabic at 3:17 PM on August 26, 2004
No disparaging remarks here--I hope you all have a great time!
(Said the jealous chick who might go next year.)
But please, wear your sunscreen (SPF 30, at least), drink lots and lots and lots of water, and remember that tryptamines and phenylethamines don't always play nicely together, so don't mix 'em. And watch out for all the Phish fans in mourning that their favorite band is kaput.
And post pictures and a report later, so we can live vicariously!
posted by Asparagirl at 3:34 PM on August 26, 2004
(Said the jealous chick who might go next year.)
But please, wear your sunscreen (SPF 30, at least), drink lots and lots and lots of water, and remember that tryptamines and phenylethamines don't always play nicely together, so don't mix 'em. And watch out for all the Phish fans in mourning that their favorite band is kaput.
And post pictures and a report later, so we can live vicariously!
posted by Asparagirl at 3:34 PM on August 26, 2004
The West coast gets Burning Man
and the East coast gets the RNC.
I really need to rethink my geographical affinities.
posted by milovoo at 3:53 PM on August 26, 2004
and the East coast gets the RNC.
I really need to rethink my geographical affinities.
posted by milovoo at 3:53 PM on August 26, 2004
Luckily I got my desert fix earlier this year but I'd love to be over there with you guys. Have a blast...
posted by i_cola at 4:21 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by i_cola at 4:21 PM on August 26, 2004
I will be the 50ft tall, reanimated corpse of ronald regan, curing the elderly of alzheimer's and eating the poor. look for me!
posted by Hackworth at 4:42 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by Hackworth at 4:42 PM on August 26, 2004
I remember two monkeys at that DC meetup.
(onlyconnect has dual citizenship!)
posted by NortonDC at 5:43 PM on August 26, 2004
(onlyconnect has dual citizenship!)
posted by NortonDC at 5:43 PM on August 26, 2004
I seem to recall one of the first meetups after Monkeyfilter was created had a few Monkeys show up. I think it was a SF meet, but I don't really remember...
posted by kaibutsu at 5:47 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by kaibutsu at 5:47 PM on August 26, 2004
It was the LA meetup, and Wendell can tell you all about it.
posted by ambrosia at 6:07 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by ambrosia at 6:07 PM on August 26, 2004
Ach, Burning Man. Spring Break for the fucking math club.
posted by jonmc at 6:52 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by jonmc at 6:52 PM on August 26, 2004
Cue the disparaging remarks about BM and MoFi (or - imagine this - just keep them to yourself!)
Ach, Burning Man. Spring Break for the fucking math club.
posted by jonmc at 6:52 PM PST on August 26
hey johnmc, do you not read or are you just too cool to respect other people's shit?
posted by Miles Long at 8:43 PM on August 26, 2004
Ach, Burning Man. Spring Break for the fucking math club.
posted by jonmc at 6:52 PM PST on August 26
hey johnmc, do you not read or are you just too cool to respect other people's shit?
posted by Miles Long at 8:43 PM on August 26, 2004
Just ignore him, Miles. I already responded politely to his pissy little attitude over here. If he wants to continue issuing condemnations about things he's never seen, whatever.
posted by scarabic at 8:58 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by scarabic at 8:58 PM on August 26, 2004
have a great time, and throw me a shoutout drawn/peed in the sand : >
posted by amberglow at 9:39 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by amberglow at 9:39 PM on August 26, 2004
Isn't every urine event an amberglow shout out? Have fun scarabic, et al.
posted by shoepal at 10:00 PM on August 26, 2004
posted by shoepal at 10:00 PM on August 26, 2004
aw... can't do it, amberglow!
I'll see what I can whipout up though.
posted by scarabic at 10:41 PM on August 26, 2004
I'll see what I can whip
posted by scarabic at 10:41 PM on August 26, 2004
ok, then draw us all a pic in the sand, and carefully wipe all traces of it after you take the pic. Is that doable?
and shoepal : >
posted by amberglow at 6:06 AM on August 27, 2004
and shoepal : >
posted by amberglow at 6:06 AM on August 27, 2004
If he wants to continue issuing condemnations about things he's never seen, whatever.
I've seen enough documentation and pictures of it to know it's something I wouldn't want anything to do with.
I mean come on, a bunch a people in the desert getting stoned, bimbos showing their naynays and you set stuff on fire. Sounds like spring break to me. With an added layer of pretense. Will Carson Daly be there this year?
And yes, I am too cool to respect other people's shit. Especially when a) I find it stupid and b) everyone else veiws it as some kind of sacred cow.
posted by jonmc at 6:40 AM on August 27, 2004
I've seen enough documentation and pictures of it to know it's something I wouldn't want anything to do with.
I mean come on, a bunch a people in the desert getting stoned, bimbos showing their naynays and you set stuff on fire. Sounds like spring break to me. With an added layer of pretense. Will Carson Daly be there this year?
And yes, I am too cool to respect other people's shit. Especially when a) I find it stupid and b) everyone else veiws it as some kind of sacred cow.
posted by jonmc at 6:40 AM on August 27, 2004
Yabbut see, jonmc, for the people that don't share your context of "all these people always talking about it they think it's so cool and its a sacred cow" frustration, you come off, to us, looking like sorta a jerk. That's sorta the way it is with sacred cow punchers and contrarians in general. If you share or are close to their point of view, they can be or almost are heroic. But if you don't, they're just troublemakers.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 7:13 AM on August 27, 2004
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 7:13 AM on August 27, 2004
You're welcome to draw whatever inferences you like from pictures and whatnot, but why bother attacking something you have no first-hand experience with so aggressively, as if you had any personal stake in the issue? There's a pretty big gap between "respect" and "going out of your way to crap on someone else's thread". Nobody is demanding the former from you, but the latter is simply gratuitous.
posted by DaShiv at 7:14 AM on August 27, 2004
posted by DaShiv at 7:14 AM on August 27, 2004
You're welcome to draw whatever inferences you like from pictures and whatnot, but why bother attacking something you have no first-hand experience with so aggressively, as if you had any personal stake in the issue?
Because, I loathe pretensiousness. And cliquery pretending to be liberation. BM qualifies. The hype and mythology surrounding it is annoying. It's my duty to deflate it.
posted by jonmc at 7:28 AM on August 27, 2004
Because, I loathe pretensiousness. And cliquery pretending to be liberation. BM qualifies. The hype and mythology surrounding it is annoying. It's my duty to deflate it.
posted by jonmc at 7:28 AM on August 27, 2004
Well, who am I to argue against a God-given duty to eradicate annoyances? :) Your windmill awaits, Senor Quixotes.
posted by DaShiv at 7:44 AM on August 27, 2004
posted by DaShiv at 7:44 AM on August 27, 2004
It's my duty to deflate it.
Good idea, but shouldn't you do it in person, so as to include people who are actually there.
posted by milovoo at 7:58 AM on August 27, 2004
Good idea, but shouldn't you do it in person, so as to include people who are actually there.
posted by milovoo at 7:58 AM on August 27, 2004
jonmc, you're just making me laugh now. Thanks for trying to save us from ourselves, but REALLY, one more time: you don't know what the fuck you're talking about. Your own impressions, while understandable, are shallow and exaggerated, and you're not giving anyone in this thread, even, the benefit of the doubt. Do you really think we're going to light a blunt, wag our tits and dicks around, and spin to some Phish when we all meet up out there? Please.
Talk about pretentious: you presume to lecture me on something I've been doing annually for five years, based on the intarweb pictures you've seen? O the hypocrisy! Do you even see it? Stop making an ass of yourself pissing on other folk's fun for absolutely no good reason.
Actually, I shouldn't protest so much. Your "ew naked stoners" reaction is a fairly common one, and, like the hot weather, remote location, and dry conditions, serves to keep the unwashed masses at bay. Stay away. We're cool with that. I stopped evangelizing the festival a long time ago, but I'd like to be able to do a meetup invite without having to fight off Church Ladies like yourself.
Oh, and I'm not a math geek. I was an English major. DaShiv too.
posted by scarabic at 9:14 AM on August 27, 2004
Talk about pretentious: you presume to lecture me on something I've been doing annually for five years, based on the intarweb pictures you've seen? O the hypocrisy! Do you even see it? Stop making an ass of yourself pissing on other folk's fun for absolutely no good reason.
Actually, I shouldn't protest so much. Your "ew naked stoners" reaction is a fairly common one, and, like the hot weather, remote location, and dry conditions, serves to keep the unwashed masses at bay. Stay away. We're cool with that. I stopped evangelizing the festival a long time ago, but I'd like to be able to do a meetup invite without having to fight off Church Ladies like yourself.
Oh, and I'm not a math geek. I was an English major. DaShiv too.
posted by scarabic at 9:14 AM on August 27, 2004
but I'd like to be able to do a meetup invite without having to fight off Church Ladies like yourself.
Church Lady?
Listen, sweetcheeks, I have zero problem with dope, nudity or stoner music. What annoys me is the silly posturing. At least the fratboys on Padre Island don't feel the need to dress up their little party in a robe of Kozmic Hoo-Ha.
posted by jonmc at 9:19 AM on August 27, 2004
Church Lady?
Listen, sweetcheeks, I have zero problem with dope, nudity or stoner music. What annoys me is the silly posturing. At least the fratboys on Padre Island don't feel the need to dress up their little party in a robe of Kozmic Hoo-Ha.
posted by jonmc at 9:19 AM on August 27, 2004
Point to any posturing or sacred-cow milking in this thread, and I'll grant you that.
posted by scarabic at 9:24 AM on August 27, 2004
posted by scarabic at 9:24 AM on August 27, 2004
The Man is kind of an awkward place to meet up, since there are always so many people out there, but I'll see if I can find the group. I'll probably be wearing a black vest and cargo pants with a bandolier and utility belt. Or maybe something else. But I'll definitely be riding a blue & black bike with a big ol' headlight.
jonmc: stop it already. I generally like your curmudgeonliness, but this time you're making an ass of yourself.
The hype and mythology surrounding it is annoying. It's my duty to deflate it.
Indeed, the hype can be a bit much, and I have to roll my eyes at the mythmaking and most of the talk about "community" and so on. But your deflation is not particularly convincing, either. Sure, if you went to Burning Man looking for "spring break", or hippies on drugs, or naked people burning stuff, or whatever, then you'd probably find it. But such flip dismissals don't even come close to capturing the spirit of the event. There are thirty thousand people there - SOME of them are going to fit the lens you're looking through. But it's a very narrow lens, and you're missing most of the point.
You don't seem to think it sounds like any fun - well, big deal. Don't go. Problem solved - but stop dumping on our fun in the meantime.
posted by Mars Saxman at 9:29 AM on August 27, 2004
jonmc: stop it already. I generally like your curmudgeonliness, but this time you're making an ass of yourself.
The hype and mythology surrounding it is annoying. It's my duty to deflate it.
Indeed, the hype can be a bit much, and I have to roll my eyes at the mythmaking and most of the talk about "community" and so on. But your deflation is not particularly convincing, either. Sure, if you went to Burning Man looking for "spring break", or hippies on drugs, or naked people burning stuff, or whatever, then you'd probably find it. But such flip dismissals don't even come close to capturing the spirit of the event. There are thirty thousand people there - SOME of them are going to fit the lens you're looking through. But it's a very narrow lens, and you're missing most of the point.
You don't seem to think it sounds like any fun - well, big deal. Don't go. Problem solved - but stop dumping on our fun in the meantime.
posted by Mars Saxman at 9:29 AM on August 27, 2004
it's not the thread, it's the festival itself. Essays like this reek of pretension.
You're here to survive. What happens to your brain and body when exposed to 107 degree heat, moisture wicking off your body and dehydrating you within minutes? You know and watch yourself. You drink water constantly and piss clear. You'll want to reconsider drinking that alcohol (or taking those other substances) you brought with you -- the mind-altering experience of Burning Man is its own drug.
I experienced that when I worked in an industrial bakery in my early 20's. It didn't feel enlightening, just unpleasant and dirty.
Maybe they should put the Burning Man people to work instead? If you have enough leisure time and money to participate in this, then you have too much of both.
posted by jonmc at 9:31 AM on August 27, 2004
You're here to survive. What happens to your brain and body when exposed to 107 degree heat, moisture wicking off your body and dehydrating you within minutes? You know and watch yourself. You drink water constantly and piss clear. You'll want to reconsider drinking that alcohol (or taking those other substances) you brought with you -- the mind-altering experience of Burning Man is its own drug.
I experienced that when I worked in an industrial bakery in my early 20's. It didn't feel enlightening, just unpleasant and dirty.
Maybe they should put the Burning Man people to work instead? If you have enough leisure time and money to participate in this, then you have too much of both.
posted by jonmc at 9:31 AM on August 27, 2004
you're missing most of the point.
posted by Mars Saxman at 9:29 AM PST on August 27
It has a point?
... beyond "light a blunt, wag our tits and dicks around, and spin to some Phish"?
... well, it might have had a point before it became overrun by those people and just turned into phishstock without the phish
posted by Seth at 9:41 AM on August 27, 2004
posted by Mars Saxman at 9:29 AM PST on August 27
It has a point?
... beyond "light a blunt, wag our tits and dicks around, and spin to some Phish"?
... well, it might have had a point before it became overrun by those people and just turned into phishstock without the phish
posted by Seth at 9:41 AM on August 27, 2004
If you have enough leisure time and money to participate in this, then you have too much of both.
posted by jonmc at 9:31 AM PST on August 27
I take it you're simply bitter about lack of vacation time.
And really jonmc, I'd assume the anonymous desert fucking would appeal to you.
posted by the fire you left me at 9:43 AM on August 27, 2004
posted by jonmc at 9:31 AM PST on August 27
I take it you're simply bitter about lack of vacation time.
And really jonmc, I'd assume the anonymous desert fucking would appeal to you.
posted by the fire you left me at 9:43 AM on August 27, 2004
Okay jonmc. You go to work next week and fly that work ethic like a flag. I'm going to go be pretentious and dirty. You're a better man than I.
jesus christ you're bitter - have fun much?
posted by scarabic at 9:45 AM on August 27, 2004
jesus christ you're bitter - have fun much?
posted by scarabic at 9:45 AM on August 27, 2004
jesus christ you're bitter - have fun much?
All the time. After work, I shall walk down the street to my bar. Play some songs on the jukebox, down a few beers, and shoot the shit with whoever sits next to me. Then I'll probably grab a quick nosh, go home to mrs. jonmc, watch some old reruns or listen to my records.
That's all the fun I need.
You go to work next week and fly that work ethic like a flag.
Proudly.
posted by jonmc at 9:49 AM on August 27, 2004
All the time. After work, I shall walk down the street to my bar. Play some songs on the jukebox, down a few beers, and shoot the shit with whoever sits next to me. Then I'll probably grab a quick nosh, go home to mrs. jonmc, watch some old reruns or listen to my records.
That's all the fun I need.
You go to work next week and fly that work ethic like a flag.
Proudly.
posted by jonmc at 9:49 AM on August 27, 2004
I shall walk down the street to my bar. Play some songs on the jukebox, down a few beers, and shoot the shit with whoever sits next to me.
Oh my God. How pretentious. Who do you think you are, Raymond Fucking Chandler? Geez. You married people are all so holier-than-thou. If I wanted to hang out with a bunch of alcoholic middle-aged folk I'd go to a Jimmy Buffett concert.
I'm kidding, of course, but with a point. Do you see how narrow and mean these blanket generalizations are? This is what you're doing. You're the only one here who thinks his life is better than anyone else's. No one's telling you your wife is ugly and your bar dingy. Yet here you are crapping on other people, all the while pointing the pretention finger at them for thinking they're just so cool. Take a look at yourself, Mr. Kettle.
Actually, you're right about one thing, though. Those essays, including the one about the year's theme, are totally dorky. They wind up having little to do with anything that's actually out there. Like I said, I gave up on evangelizing, and I don't write about Burning Man, because it's a very difficult thing to describe, let alone sell. People often make the mistake of resorting to dreamy hyperbole to *try* to explain their experiences there, and, more often than not, come off sounding high, stupid, or full of themselves.
All that said: when you say "it's the festival itself" and "just look at this essay" you're talking about different things. The retarded theme writings make just about everyone's eyes roll. But everyone still shows up to make cool installations, be friendly, and have a good time.
No one's ever "unwelcome" there except the people who ostracize themselves because they can't let go of their 3rd grade feelings of exclusion from the cool group. Unclench, get over the fact that people are wearing silly costumes for fun, and you'll find nothing but friendly folk in good moods, usually on their best behavior, ready to open you a beer, chat with you, feed you, help you out if you need it, etc etc.
I'm going out there to fix anyone's bike who needs the help, asking nothing in return. What's so pretentious about that?
posted by scarabic at 10:05 AM on August 27, 2004
Oh my God. How pretentious. Who do you think you are, Raymond Fucking Chandler? Geez. You married people are all so holier-than-thou. If I wanted to hang out with a bunch of alcoholic middle-aged folk I'd go to a Jimmy Buffett concert.
I'm kidding, of course, but with a point. Do you see how narrow and mean these blanket generalizations are? This is what you're doing. You're the only one here who thinks his life is better than anyone else's. No one's telling you your wife is ugly and your bar dingy. Yet here you are crapping on other people, all the while pointing the pretention finger at them for thinking they're just so cool. Take a look at yourself, Mr. Kettle.
Actually, you're right about one thing, though. Those essays, including the one about the year's theme, are totally dorky. They wind up having little to do with anything that's actually out there. Like I said, I gave up on evangelizing, and I don't write about Burning Man, because it's a very difficult thing to describe, let alone sell. People often make the mistake of resorting to dreamy hyperbole to *try* to explain their experiences there, and, more often than not, come off sounding high, stupid, or full of themselves.
All that said: when you say "it's the festival itself" and "just look at this essay" you're talking about different things. The retarded theme writings make just about everyone's eyes roll. But everyone still shows up to make cool installations, be friendly, and have a good time.
No one's ever "unwelcome" there except the people who ostracize themselves because they can't let go of their 3rd grade feelings of exclusion from the cool group. Unclench, get over the fact that people are wearing silly costumes for fun, and you'll find nothing but friendly folk in good moods, usually on their best behavior, ready to open you a beer, chat with you, feed you, help you out if you need it, etc etc.
I'm going out there to fix anyone's bike who needs the help, asking nothing in return. What's so pretentious about that?
posted by scarabic at 10:05 AM on August 27, 2004
oh scarabic, are you basing your views of married people on jonmc? you're missing the point.
oh, wait. satire. guess i'm missing the point. carry on.
posted by caution live frogs at 10:22 AM on August 27, 2004
oh, wait. satire. guess i'm missing the point. carry on.
posted by caution live frogs at 10:22 AM on August 27, 2004
just for the record, jonmc is not married. He's lived with the same woman for 9 years, so he might as well be, but there's no wedding band on my hand.
What's so pretentious about that?
No room for angry, bitter people.
posted by jonmc at 10:25 AM on August 27, 2004
What's so pretentious about that?
No room for angry, bitter people.
posted by jonmc at 10:25 AM on August 27, 2004
jonmc, buddy, more than once you've been the voice of reason when I've entrenched myself in an unwinnable arguement created entirely of own bitterness, so I'm going to return the favor--this conversation is hurting, not helping, anyone's respect for your opinions. Scarabic, et al, does what he does for fun and you do what you do for fun. The essays are for shit, but the smart BM attendees seem to acknowledge that. Fun is fun.
I made the mistake of ribbing scarabic once about Burning Man, and regretted it immediately upon seeing how honest, well-put and NOT sacred-cow-worshipping his, and others', enthusiasm for BM was. There is no shortage of idiots in any self-styled subcultural event (however phony each may seem), but this isn't news. And the people you're addressing represent the likeable folks--not the idiots.
So, it's with the utmost respect I submit that you may be out of line here.
posted by dhoyt at 11:47 AM on August 27, 2004
I made the mistake of ribbing scarabic once about Burning Man, and regretted it immediately upon seeing how honest, well-put and NOT sacred-cow-worshipping his, and others', enthusiasm for BM was. There is no shortage of idiots in any self-styled subcultural event (however phony each may seem), but this isn't news. And the people you're addressing represent the likeable folks--not the idiots.
So, it's with the utmost respect I submit that you may be out of line here.
posted by dhoyt at 11:47 AM on August 27, 2004
OK, I'm willing to concede that my impressions of BM may be inaccurate, but that impression was gleaned via the dumbass essays.
Maybe one of y'all should tell somebody on one of the BM sites: "Hey, quit writing these idiotic essays! They make us look foolish!"
Just sayin'.
posted by jonmc at 11:59 AM on August 27, 2004
Maybe one of y'all should tell somebody on one of the BM sites: "Hey, quit writing these idiotic essays! They make us look foolish!"
Just sayin'.
posted by jonmc at 11:59 AM on August 27, 2004
I recognize that modern man lacks a lot of the spiritual and communal rituals of early (prehistoric?) man and that BM provides a sort of (simulacra) outlet for these innate impulses, but isn't the whole thing a little overblown these days?
Not to side with jonmc, but I've (honestly!) never really understood the allure of BM (post inaugural BM). I understand the concept and I can appreciate the idea of checking out (and off the grid/network) for a bit, but wouldn't it make more sense to do it on your own (or with a group) instead of joining thousands of people attempting to do the same?
I'm not attacking burning man or those that attend the event. I have nothing against it or the participants. I just want to know WHY people are still going in 2004 and WHAT you (intend to) get out of it.
p.s. I don't need to hear the "it will change your life/perspective/etc" explanations. I've had those conversations before with previous attendees. I'd like a rational or impassioned justification for your attendance, if at all possible.
posted by shoepal at 12:36 PM on August 27, 2004
Not to side with jonmc, but I've (honestly!) never really understood the allure of BM (post inaugural BM). I understand the concept and I can appreciate the idea of checking out (and off the grid/network) for a bit, but wouldn't it make more sense to do it on your own (or with a group) instead of joining thousands of people attempting to do the same?
I'm not attacking burning man or those that attend the event. I have nothing against it or the participants. I just want to know WHY people are still going in 2004 and WHAT you (intend to) get out of it.
p.s. I don't need to hear the "it will change your life/perspective/etc" explanations. I've had those conversations before with previous attendees. I'd like a rational or impassioned justification for your attendance, if at all possible.
posted by shoepal at 12:36 PM on August 27, 2004
I repeat my request for a Warm and Toasty Man festival, but I will not hate on BM and those who love it.
Except maybe Xeni Jardin.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 12:40 PM on August 27, 2004
Except maybe Xeni Jardin.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 12:40 PM on August 27, 2004
I can appreciate the idea of checking out (and off the grid/network) for a bit, but wouldn't it make more sense to do it on your own (or with a group) instead of joining thousands of people attempting to do the same?
Depends on what you want to do. BM is not a sustainable lifestyle change, an exit point from the grid. It's a festival, a brief release that's supposed to give you a chance to get outside the normal routine and have some fresh experiences. The stated goal is for everyone to take what they learned, thought, felt back to their everyday lives in order to enrich them. It's a retreat.
One good thing about retreating with a huge group is that you have a large pool of people to talk to, things to do, stuff to see. I doubt folks would go to all the labor and expense to build some of the more involved art works if only a few people were there to enjoy them. There's a critical mass you must reach before some of this stuff starts happening.
The art, whether big, small, mobile ,functional, or tamarindo-flavored, is supposed to be the whole point of the event. And while a lot of people bemoan the addition of techno music and raving to the BM vibe, the awesome art thing is still going very strong. All those links are from last year.
cheers, dhoyt
posted by scarabic at 1:12 PM on August 27, 2004
Depends on what you want to do. BM is not a sustainable lifestyle change, an exit point from the grid. It's a festival, a brief release that's supposed to give you a chance to get outside the normal routine and have some fresh experiences. The stated goal is for everyone to take what they learned, thought, felt back to their everyday lives in order to enrich them. It's a retreat.
One good thing about retreating with a huge group is that you have a large pool of people to talk to, things to do, stuff to see. I doubt folks would go to all the labor and expense to build some of the more involved art works if only a few people were there to enjoy them. There's a critical mass you must reach before some of this stuff starts happening.
The art, whether big, small, mobile ,functional, or tamarindo-flavored, is supposed to be the whole point of the event. And while a lot of people bemoan the addition of techno music and raving to the BM vibe, the awesome art thing is still going very strong. All those links are from last year.
cheers, dhoyt
posted by scarabic at 1:12 PM on August 27, 2004
Do you really think we're going to light a blunt, wag our tits and dicks around, and spin to some Phish when we all meet up out there?
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
posted by Asparagirl at 1:29 PM on August 27, 2004
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
posted by Asparagirl at 1:29 PM on August 27, 2004
I'd like a rational or impassioned justification for your attendance, if at all possible.
Okay, I'm going to try. This is a rather long, personal account, so please skip if you're not interested.
In 2001 I threw my last pack of cigarettes into the bonfire after the Man burned. The burning-of-effigy ceremony might be corny, but it was a nice, clear, ritualistic marking point for me to embark on a very practical life change I'd been wanting to do for some time. When you're quitting, you need to pick a day. And on any ordinary day, you can always put it off till tomorrow. The Burn is once a year; it was just what I needed.
Several of the art pieces that year gave me a chance to think about my health, my mortality, etc, all of which was bound up in the decision to quit. I wrote my intentions on some blocks of wood that went up in smoke with the Mausoleum. I pondered the "7 Ages of Man" theme (particularly the Death stage, which I felt I was propelling myself toward with my unhealthy habit). I wrote a lot in my journal about my intentions to quite, but that wasn't anywhere near as edifying as the day I came across a big set of alphabet blocks in the middle of the desert, used them to spell out "I QUIT." I also had to carry my cigarette butts around with me in a smelly can all week, which brought into clear relief how gross it is. I just generaly spent time with friends, laughed, danced and rode my bike around and felt happy, optimistic, inspired by some of the cool shit other people had done. This was a welcome contrast to the mild depression which had been helping to fuel my smoking habit.
All of these little experiences challenged me to think in some small way, and they collectively resulted in what's now almost 3 years of no smoking. I celebrate my anniversary on the night of the Burn each year, reinforcing the commitment. I look forward to that aspect of the Burn with relief, a little pride, and gratitude that the whole deal is behind me.
I hope I'm not being dumb and dreamy here. I'm trying to give the most basic, practical explanation I can, but there's no avoiding the fact that ritual had something to do with it, art had something to do with it, and changing my perspectives, ultimately, my life, was the end result of it. I don't smoke now. Simple.
posted by scarabic at 1:39 PM on August 27, 2004
Okay, I'm going to try. This is a rather long, personal account, so please skip if you're not interested.
In 2001 I threw my last pack of cigarettes into the bonfire after the Man burned. The burning-of-effigy ceremony might be corny, but it was a nice, clear, ritualistic marking point for me to embark on a very practical life change I'd been wanting to do for some time. When you're quitting, you need to pick a day. And on any ordinary day, you can always put it off till tomorrow. The Burn is once a year; it was just what I needed.
Several of the art pieces that year gave me a chance to think about my health, my mortality, etc, all of which was bound up in the decision to quit. I wrote my intentions on some blocks of wood that went up in smoke with the Mausoleum. I pondered the "7 Ages of Man" theme (particularly the Death stage, which I felt I was propelling myself toward with my unhealthy habit). I wrote a lot in my journal about my intentions to quite, but that wasn't anywhere near as edifying as the day I came across a big set of alphabet blocks in the middle of the desert, used them to spell out "I QUIT." I also had to carry my cigarette butts around with me in a smelly can all week, which brought into clear relief how gross it is. I just generaly spent time with friends, laughed, danced and rode my bike around and felt happy, optimistic, inspired by some of the cool shit other people had done. This was a welcome contrast to the mild depression which had been helping to fuel my smoking habit.
All of these little experiences challenged me to think in some small way, and they collectively resulted in what's now almost 3 years of no smoking. I celebrate my anniversary on the night of the Burn each year, reinforcing the commitment. I look forward to that aspect of the Burn with relief, a little pride, and gratitude that the whole deal is behind me.
I hope I'm not being dumb and dreamy here. I'm trying to give the most basic, practical explanation I can, but there's no avoiding the fact that ritual had something to do with it, art had something to do with it, and changing my perspectives, ultimately, my life, was the end result of it. I don't smoke now. Simple.
posted by scarabic at 1:39 PM on August 27, 2004
Nice photos, scarabic. I really admire the labor and expense that goes into creating those temporal sculptures. Always have. I appreciate your response(s) and I hope you have a great time and take lots of photos this year.
I know it is antithetical to the whole experience, but I think I would really enjoy BM if all of those people weren't there. (I have issues. I know, I know.)
posted by shoepal at 1:57 PM on August 27, 2004
I know it is antithetical to the whole experience, but I think I would really enjoy BM if all of those people weren't there. (I have issues. I know, I know.)
posted by shoepal at 1:57 PM on August 27, 2004
shoepal: checking out of the grid is fun, too; I'm an avid backpacker, and disappearing into the woods for a few days is great. But it's not at all the same thing.
I've spent most of my free time for the last month building a sixteen-foot tower with three vertical spotlights, each powered by a stationary bicycle generator. One light has a red gel, one green, one blue; so the colors mix, and the hue and brightness of the light depend on which bikes people are using and how fast they're pedalling. I'm going to haul this contraption out onto the open desert, light it up, and see what happens. I imagine people seeing the beam in the distance, thinking something like "what the hell is THAT?", and wandering over to check it out. Then they can hop on a vacant bike for a few minutes, crank away, and help draw in the next round of participants. Anytime they are wandering around in the city after that, and they happen to see that light in the distance, they can get a little warm fuzzy feeling knowing they helped make that project work.
And that's just my project. Other members of my camp are bringing: a giant trampoline painted up with stars and planets; adult-size versions of those spring riding toys they used to have in playgrounds; two big shade domes full of pillows; and so on. Not to mention all the crazy decorated bikes and various wild costumes people have put together. And we're just one camp out of hundreds.
Last time I went, some of the highlights included: a hundred-twenty-foot steel dragon, roaming around the desert breathing fire; a bar in the shape of the submarine Kursk, half-submerged in the desert floor; a human-powered amusement park, complete with ferris wheel; a glowing "stained-glass" chapel entirely made of glued-together plastic trash. There was a tunnel made of curved pipe, with hundreds of tiny holes leaking propane, all on fire, that you could walk through. There was a star-bellied sneetch machine; a twenty-foot steel model of a heart, pouring fire; a huge wooden temple made of oversized model dinosaur parts; a tiki hut dispensing free, fresh-made mojitos. And these are just a few hilights of that fraction of the city I saw; there were dozens of major camps and hundreds of smaller ones whose work I never encountered at all.
Imagine that kind of creative energy multiplied by thousands of people, building crazy outlandish cool stuff for no other purpose than to entertain and/or amaze each other, and you'll get some idea what it is I'm looking forward to.
posted by Mars Saxman at 1:59 PM on August 27, 2004
I've spent most of my free time for the last month building a sixteen-foot tower with three vertical spotlights, each powered by a stationary bicycle generator. One light has a red gel, one green, one blue; so the colors mix, and the hue and brightness of the light depend on which bikes people are using and how fast they're pedalling. I'm going to haul this contraption out onto the open desert, light it up, and see what happens. I imagine people seeing the beam in the distance, thinking something like "what the hell is THAT?", and wandering over to check it out. Then they can hop on a vacant bike for a few minutes, crank away, and help draw in the next round of participants. Anytime they are wandering around in the city after that, and they happen to see that light in the distance, they can get a little warm fuzzy feeling knowing they helped make that project work.
And that's just my project. Other members of my camp are bringing: a giant trampoline painted up with stars and planets; adult-size versions of those spring riding toys they used to have in playgrounds; two big shade domes full of pillows; and so on. Not to mention all the crazy decorated bikes and various wild costumes people have put together. And we're just one camp out of hundreds.
Last time I went, some of the highlights included: a hundred-twenty-foot steel dragon, roaming around the desert breathing fire; a bar in the shape of the submarine Kursk, half-submerged in the desert floor; a human-powered amusement park, complete with ferris wheel; a glowing "stained-glass" chapel entirely made of glued-together plastic trash. There was a tunnel made of curved pipe, with hundreds of tiny holes leaking propane, all on fire, that you could walk through. There was a star-bellied sneetch machine; a twenty-foot steel model of a heart, pouring fire; a huge wooden temple made of oversized model dinosaur parts; a tiki hut dispensing free, fresh-made mojitos. And these are just a few hilights of that fraction of the city I saw; there were dozens of major camps and hundreds of smaller ones whose work I never encountered at all.
Imagine that kind of creative energy multiplied by thousands of people, building crazy outlandish cool stuff for no other purpose than to entertain and/or amaze each other, and you'll get some idea what it is I'm looking forward to.
posted by Mars Saxman at 1:59 PM on August 27, 2004
Have you been, shoop? You'd be welcome if you wanted to join us one year.
posted by scarabic at 2:20 PM on August 27, 2004
posted by scarabic at 2:20 PM on August 27, 2004
but I've (honestly!) never really understood the allure of BM
I've never understood the allure of all sorts of things that people burble about endlessly here on MeFi. But I don't feel compelled to drop into the threads and say over and over again "This is stupid! You people are poopyheads!" Just sayin'.
posted by languagehat at 5:50 PM on August 27, 2004
I've never understood the allure of all sorts of things that people burble about endlessly here on MeFi. But I don't feel compelled to drop into the threads and say over and over again "This is stupid! You people are poopyheads!" Just sayin'.
posted by languagehat at 5:50 PM on August 27, 2004
now i wanna go more than ever (thanks mars/scarabic/all) : >
posted by amberglow at 6:49 PM on August 27, 2004
posted by amberglow at 6:49 PM on August 27, 2004
I posted a thread much like this last year, and it was pretty painful. Despite jonmc's deal (which was talked out pretty okay in the end, I guess) this has been more or less what it should be. Cheers, all, and I'll see you on the Playa.
posted by scarabic at 7:24 PM on August 27, 2004
posted by scarabic at 7:24 PM on August 27, 2004
I'll be there on Tuesday looking for all you fine people . . . provided of course I can pass the test that they administer at the gate. I suck at math, so please wish me well. (Anyone know how to use a slide rule?)
Look for me I'll be wearing . . . uh . . . I have no idea. . .
posted by donovan at 11:06 PM on August 27, 2004
Look for me I'll be wearing . . . uh . . . I have no idea. . .
posted by donovan at 11:06 PM on August 27, 2004
I'll be wearing . . . uh . . . I have no idea. . .
Allow me to make a prediction: butterfly wings, nipple pasties, fake fur chaps, a huge prosthetic penis, and a Camelbak.
Bingo!
posted by DaShiv at 3:37 AM on August 28, 2004
Allow me to make a prediction: butterfly wings, nipple pasties, fake fur chaps, a huge prosthetic penis, and a Camelbak.
Bingo!
posted by DaShiv at 3:37 AM on August 28, 2004
scarabic - Point to any posturing or sacred-cow milking in this thread
scarabic - serves to keep the unwashed masses at bay. Stay away.
Hmm, righto.
posted by NortonDC at 9:02 AM on August 28, 2004
scarabic - serves to keep the unwashed masses at bay. Stay away.
Hmm, righto.
posted by NortonDC at 9:02 AM on August 28, 2004
Weak anyway. I can't believe I'm continuing to make excuses here. GOODBYE ALL! SEEYA TUESDAY!
posted by scarabic at 9:44 AM on August 28, 2004
posted by scarabic at 9:44 AM on August 28, 2004
languagehat, are you confusing me with jonmc? I never called anyone a "poopyhead." Nor do I drop into threads over and over saying "this is stupid." What gives?
posted by shoepal at 10:33 AM on August 28, 2004
posted by shoepal at 10:33 AM on August 28, 2004
shoepal: Naw, wasn't confusing you with the estimable jonmc, but I was a little irritated with the latter and using your quote as a springboard to express said irritation. Sorry for the confusion. (The "poopyhead" was just to provide a little jocularity -- obviously nobody's actually called anyone a poopyhead. Yet.)
Have a great time, y'all!
posted by languagehat at 11:05 AM on August 28, 2004
Have a great time, y'all!
posted by languagehat at 11:05 AM on August 28, 2004
Allow me to make a prediction: butterfly wings, nipple pasties, fake fur chaps, a huge prosthetic penis, and a Camelbak.
dashiv, now the bingo thing is a bit humorous but I'm not a good guy to bet on. while i do own a camelbak, i have no wings, no pasties, no chaps and am happy with my own penis thank you very much.
my fashion selection is more "should i wear the grimy khaki shorts or the grimy green shorts . . . mmmm . . . or my purple bear suit." damn, i think i just confirmed a stereotype.
posted by donovan at 11:42 AM on August 28, 2004
dashiv, now the bingo thing is a bit humorous but I'm not a good guy to bet on. while i do own a camelbak, i have no wings, no pasties, no chaps and am happy with my own penis thank you very much.
my fashion selection is more "should i wear the grimy khaki shorts or the grimy green shorts . . . mmmm . . . or my purple bear suit." damn, i think i just confirmed a stereotype.
posted by donovan at 11:42 AM on August 28, 2004
Sorry I missed you guys at the Man on tuesday, I was trapped at the DMV getting the art car registered. Doh. The USS EnterThighs was worth it, though.
posted by Hackworth at 8:06 PM on September 6, 2004
posted by Hackworth at 8:06 PM on September 6, 2004
I was swamped with customers in the BYB bike shop and didn't make it until too late, either! Sorry to have missed it.
posted by scarabic at 10:43 AM on September 7, 2004
posted by scarabic at 10:43 AM on September 7, 2004
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
Time: Noonish
Place: The Man (on the side of him that faces Center Camp)
Map of the city.
As previously reported, I'll have a small Mexican flag with me. I'm also hoping to post our 1st ever 3D meetup pic. Come be in it!
posted by scarabic at 2:22 PM on August 26, 2004