Burning Man is a temporary city in the stark Nevada desert, created for one week around Labour Day, whose 50,000 denizens are devoted to creativity -- in art, technology, music and personal expression. Almost all comers are participants, exploring their creative selves. The coin is art; you are appreciated for what you give and what you show off.
The city is built quickly and thrives for a week. At the climax is the burning of a giant stylized figure known as "the Man" which becomes the city's prime universal experience. Shortly thereafter, all is gone, and months later it's not even possible to determine where the city was, until it is rebuilt the next year.
Couple of years ago I lived in Sparks, Nevada near the last grocery store on the Pyramid Highway heading toward Black Rock City. It was fun to watch the “artistic” rigs heading out to no where. This was total counter culture mechanical stuff that most would be embarrassed to drive or even park beside. One year there was a sand storm and all the returning vehicles were covered in dried alkali mud. Must have been a real “blast” to be there. The following year one of the free spirits set the man on fire before the appointed time. If you are an anarchist at heart, that’s the place to be for a week.
[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 08-27-2009).]
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12:36 AM
Marvin McInnis Member
Posts: 11599 From: ~ Kansas City, USA Registered: Apr 2002
Shortly thereafter, all is gone, and months later it's not even possible to determine where the city was ...
Except for the piles of "artistic" trash that remain. People in large groups behave, in general, much less responsibly about waste disposal than they do as individuals. Beyond a certain point, everybody expects someone else to do it. Of course, there are notable exceptions.
[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 08-27-2009).]
Except for the piles of "artistic" trash that remain. People in large groups behave, in general, much less responsibly about waste disposal than they do as individuals. Beyond a certain point, everybody expects someone else to do it. Of course, there are notable exceptions.
Yep. Something called "The Rainbow Gathering" took place in Angelina National Forest back in the 80s. Nearest I could figure out, it was just a bunch of would be hippies. They left acres and acres of the biggest mess of garbage and trash imaginable--in a pristine National Preserve. The National Forest Service said they would never again be allowed to use any National Forest for their gatherings.
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10:48 AM
WhiteDevil88 Member
Posts: 8518 From: Coastal California Registered: Mar 2007
Except for the piles of "artistic" trash that remain. People in large groups behave, in general, much less responsibly about waste disposal than they do as individuals. Beyond a certain point, everybody expects someone else to do it. Of course, there are notable exceptions.
You would never catch me at Burning Man, but they do "Leave no trace.". Anything brought onto the Playa must be taken away. They also require burn shields for anything burnt, so no scorch marks are left on the ground.
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04:51 PM
BekaintaFunk Member
Posts: 838 From: Pittsburgh, PA Registered: Feb 2006
That is one of the closest shows I have seen to Burning Man. They even have Larry Harvey in it. (The founder of Burning Man)
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Originally posted by Marvin McInnis:
Except for the piles of "artistic" trash that remain. People in large groups behave, in general, much less responsibly about waste disposal than they do as individuals. Beyond a certain point, everybody expects someone else to do it. Of course, there are notable exceptions.
You have no idea what you are talking about, it is a "leave no trace event" and that is real.
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Originally posted by maryjane:
Yep. Something called "The Rainbow Gathering" took place in Angelina National Forest back in the 80s. Nearest I could figure out, it was just a bunch of would be hippies. They left acres and acres of the biggest mess of garbage and trash imaginable--in a pristine National Preserve. The National Forest Service said they would never again be allowed to use any National Forest for their gatherings.
Rainbow gathers are just that, hippies, hippies can't afford burning man
quote
Originally posted by WhiteDevil88:
You would never catch me at Burning Man, but they do "Leave no trace.". Anything brought onto the Playa must be taken away. They also require burn shields for anything burnt, so no scorch marks are left on the ground.
you seem to know alot about it for not wanting to go
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Originally posted by BekaintaFunk:
i have allways dreamed of making it to burning man!!
someday, before i die, i'll be there...
How about next year? You two should come, I don't know you but I know you would love it and it WILL change your life. All you got to do is say "I'm going next year" and plan for it not just hope. I can/will help you in every way I can, you could even camp with us if you want.
Any other "burners" here? The first year I went I even saw a Fiero art car, this will be my 4th year and I will be "going home" every year after this one too.
you seem to know alot about it for not wanting to go
Would you rather I make that decision out of ignorance? I have nothing against Burning Man, I think it is aninteresting venue for artists. However, I dont think it is for me. If you are going to think less of me because I am not into it, then you just validated one of my reasons not to go: I don't care for pretentious snobs.
[This message has been edited by WhiteDevil88 (edited 08-28-2009).]
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11:42 AM
sardonyx247 Member
Posts: 5032 From: Nevada, USA Registered: Jun 2003
Would you rather I make that decision out of ignorance? I have nothing against Burning Man, I think it is aninteresting venue for artists. However, I dont think it is for me. If you are going to think less of me because I am not into it, then you just validated one of my reasons not to go: I don't care for pretentious snobs.
I don't think less of you, in fact I think more of you for being informed, I was just makeing a comment. Don't put words in my mouth. being a pretentious snob is the last thing Burning Man is about, as there are none there. ------------------ "DRIVE IT LIKE A FIERO" '84 Fiero, engine to be determined '87Blue GT 3.4L Swap Completed!!!!!!!! Boosted!!!!!!! ^^^^ Now in the Construction Zone^^^^ Las Vegas Fiero Club Fiero Road Club Of Northern Nevada
[This message has been edited by sardonyx247 (edited 08-28-2009).]
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03:53 PM
WhiteDevil88 Member
Posts: 8518 From: Coastal California Registered: Mar 2007
I don't think less of you, in fact I think more of you for being informed, I was just makeing a comment. Don't put words in my mouth. being a pretentious snob is the last thing Burning Man is about, as there are none there.
"Hippies can't afford Burning Man."
I rest my case.
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04:37 PM
sardonyx247 Member
Posts: 5032 From: Nevada, USA Registered: Jun 2003
Is there any money to be made off this thing? Are the organizers fully insured? How many carbon credits?
After looking @ the pictures on Google, I'm sure I'll pass on it. Looks like every yuppie this side of the Pacific gathered in one place to let their hair down for a few days.
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10:58 PM
sardonyx247 Member
Posts: 5032 From: Nevada, USA Registered: Jun 2003
Is there any money to be made off this thing? Are the organizers fully insured? How many carbon credits?
After looking @ the pictures on Google, I'm sure I'll pass on it. Looks like every yuppie this side of the Pacific gathered in one place to let their hair down for a few days.
There is no money to be made out there, as you can't sell anything. You can only give stuff away for free, like the free bars all over the place. It is a "gift system" no barter either. Just free
Your ticket is a waiver. So insurance is kinda pointless, but if they are or not I do not know.
They do tons of stuff through out the year to offset the carbon footprint. In 2007 just the donations alone offset like 850 tons of carbon.
and about 1/3 of the people are from other countries, and not too many yuppies, well at least if they are they don't act like it there. Everyone helps to make the city thrive and add what they can to it.
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11:59 PM
Aug 29th, 2009
rpro Member
Posts: 2920 From: Rockledge, FL Registered: Jun 2006
the tickets start out low and go up, $300 is the last price execpt for "at the gate prices" ($360) It takes alot to sponser some of the bigger art works out there, pay for the port-a-johns, pay the ungodly BLM fees, the fireworks(best I have even seen), and everything involved out there. The sponsered art works go to museums after too. The first level tickets prices are sold for less than what it cost to put in on per person.
here is what this years tickets look like
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04:13 PM
PFF
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Aug 30th, 2009
sardonyx247 Member
Posts: 5032 From: Nevada, USA Registered: Jun 2003