Increase in new burners with 'entitlement' issues

[Savannah]

bluesbob, even if you don't camp with the sober camps, there's no reason you couldn't camp somewhat nearby and/or go there to make friends. I remember seeing Anonymous camp (or other sober camps?) posting their meetings/presence in the What/When/Where guide under "reoccuring events" and being really pleased and touched, due to the role that substance abuse has played in the lives of people I know. I'm glad they would have a place like that if they wanted to go to the Burn.

Your first post seemed really cool, I've no doubt you'll make friends out there wherever you go, but I hope you track 'em down and visit.

[bluesbob]

bluesbob, even if you don't camp with the sober camps, there's no reason you couldn't camp somewhat nearby and/or go there to make friends. I remember seeing Anonymous camp (or other sober camps?) posting their meetings/presence in the What/When/Where guide under "reoccuring events" and being really pleased and touched, due to the role that substance abuse has played in the lives of people I know. I'm glad they would have a place like that if they wanted to go to the Burn.

Your first post seemed really cool, I've no doubt you'll make friends out there wherever you go, but I hope you track 'em down and visit.

One month ago, on the last day of the semester, I started this journey to go to BM. I only knew one person going, and I knew her very little. One month later I know about a dozen people going. So the magic is already happening.

[Zang]

The pattern I'm seeing here is:

1. Theme camps who provide amenities, and expect contribution/cash.
2. Theme camps who provide no amenities, and expect self reliance.

We're definitely of the first variety. We have shade for the residential tents, showers, kitchen, 24/7 power, hammock farm. On the other hand we expect everyone to contribute, both with effort and with cash. Anyone who slacks during the week is going to find themselves on the wrong end of a pointed conversation with the camp coordinators, and anyone who slacks again is going to find themselves collecting their water and gear and finding the nearest edge of the camp. No exceptions are provided for "but there was something really interesting" because there was "something interesting" for the person that picked up your work for you, too.

That said, anyone experienced enough to adjudicate a sense of "entitlement" issues among Burners can't possibly be surprised that there are those Burners, both new and experienced, who just want a free ride.

Ignore them. Move on.

[curiousgnate]

there are also camps that don't cost anything, have some ammenities if one has asked and has taken care of providing the materials for those ammenities. those ammenities are brought as a gift to the camp as long as they are respected. People are expected to be self reliant, and the camps don't charge dues. I understand that some camps must have fees ect. but things can be done in other ways. Self reliance is always a necessity. my camp does not require that anyone do anything at anytime. Its too difficult to make people do things at certain times while on the playa. we get along just fine with setting up our expectations of our camp mates and for the most part it works really well. and we don't have people getting angry that so and so is not pulling their weight for the most part. there are always gonna be a few exceptions especially with up to 20 virgins in our 100 person camp. just sayin!

[fbcota]

I think I'm late to the party for this post, but hey I'm sitting in Laos in a heavy downpour thinking about the burn. So I want to yell and scream about entitlement :P.

There do seem to be allot of newbs on the forums asking allot of theme camps. I think it is less about entitlement and more about a misunderstanding about what the event is. I'm traveling right now and I can't count the number of people I have talked to that don't really grasp what burning man is and how it works. And of the people who knew about the event and hadn't been the large majority thought that you just walked from bar to bar and drank free drinks while you parked you tent in a supplied theme camp. Not sure if I set them straight either, I mostly talked about getting lost in the desert, making art and weird moments in dust storms,...

Really, how many people go to the burn with little to no understanding of what it is? The normies think its a drug addled fuck fest in the middle of nowhere. Yes, they are right, but they are completely wrong too and it takes a dedicated team of snotty elitest 5 year + burners to put them in their place. Fuck, you can't just grow dreadlock extensions overnight. It takes time to buy all the fishermans pants and el-wire,...

Ooops, this is about the newbs entitlement not the old burners entitlement. Ohh wait, I think its about both. The Burn is a weird event. Everyone does it differently. I think people just need to guide the new folk in a decent direction and give them options to find a way to be part of the burn. If they still want a hotel 6 then just tell them to go down K street until the meet Pyramid Highway.

Camping on your own is pretty amazing for a first burn. Its what I did until I tore my achilles. Then I was the lazy newb squatting at a theme camp. That was pretty cool too. All the kindness of that camp inspired me to spend the entire next year building art. And the love of last years art has inspired me to volunteer with the org, build another art project and work on a theme camp. I think everyone is on the right track, help the new person figure the event out. If they get it, cool. If they don't send them on their way!

Anyone want to make south east asia camp with me? I was thinking lots of people yelling "Hello, you buy, you buy!" We could have some mangy dogs, great street food and a tuk tuk with a driver that harrasses everyone and takes you to fake shitty art projects after he says the temple is closed!

[Eric]

and a tuk tuk with a driver that harrasses everyone and takes you to fake shitty art projects after he says the temple is closed!

Oh god I love this idea. Pick up people in Center Camp, harass them on while you take them where they think they want to go, but go somewhere else instead. Drop them off randomly. "Okay, rides over. Next!"

Repeat.

[Ugly Dougly]

That would be real artistic.

[AntiM]

Fuck, you can't just grow dreadlock extensions overnight. It takes time to buy all the fishermans pants and el-wire,...

Now if I could only find the quote of the day thread.....

[Eric]

That would be real artistic.

I was using the tension of implied city privilege versus the self-reliant theme of the event to create a cultural shift, vis-a-vis the idea of vehicles as taxi's existing solely to propel the casual visitor to their destination as opposed to being an independent form of self-propelled art with it's own intents and purposes, which may be in direct opposition to the visitors intent.

Don't challenge someone who has to write stupid artists statements.....

[Ugly Dougly]

NOW you're ready for an art grant proposal.



No, I wouldn't mind being abandoned by a tuk-tuk driver. I've had worse and called it art. Or a growth experience.

[fbcota]

Hahaha, Im getting the hang of eplaya finally. Now if only I could have derailed the conversation before page 3 had started!

We were trying to figure out how we could convince the DMV that our Tuk Tuk was an art car. I think I will take all that stuff and put that in my speel. I would love to use that AWESOME image but I was thinking more of a Philippino Tuk Tuk.

[img]http://images.travelpod.com/users/kaybe ... boanga.jpg[/img]

Aww, if only we could get a couple people with Tuk Tuk's yelling, "Hello, Transport" at center camp. I guess the trick is how to drive like a maniac while obeying the speed limit.

[AntiM]

The DMV deadline looms if you're serious.

I've been to PI, ridden in the jeepneys. Oh yeah.

[Ugly Dougly]

Jeepneys are the original Art Cars!

[fbcota]

Not this year I am afraid. 2011 for SE asia camp.

A jeepni would be perfect, but I have a feeling I am way too lazy to build one. With a tuk tuk its just a crap motorbike with a hand made sidecar. It would still be decorated to the nines and unsafe as sin.

[Eric]

I think I will take all that stuff and put that in my speel.

please do.

When you get it out there I'd love take as spin with you as a disinformation guide- cram in with the passengers so they're uncomfortable and then give them "fact" about the city:

"All wood used in the Man is grown right here in Black Rock City on Larry Harveys sustainable tree farm, which you'll find on 10:30 and Y....."

[Ugly Dougly]

Menda-City Tour Guide!

[Eric]

Menda-City Tour Guide!

now my computers wet.

Who's got the wipes?

[capjbadger]

Menda-City Tour Guide!

now my computers wet.

Who's got the wipes?

Here ya go.



-Badger

[falk]

Is it just me or are there more and more people expecting more and more from theme camps as if its a service being provided as oppossed to a joint labor of love!

We've had people ask whether we provide TENTS and BEDDING. I'm like R U FUCKING SERIOUS?

Well, I think you have a mixture of newbies who just don't know what to expect, and newbies who've seen ads for camps that are run more like hotels and think that's normal.

I think there's been at least one camp that literally put a hotel together out of shipping containers, and then charged top dollar for people to stay in it, while providing everything they needed.

[falk]

As a newbie I want to camp in my own tent and experience burning man before i jump into a theme camp. Maybe I'm just weird?

There's also the best-of-both-worlds alternative: join a camp that's not a theme camp. You'll be among people who can loan you that chapstick you forgot to bring, there will be a shower of some sort, and a mellow group of people who can help you with any questions you might have.

[Isotopia]

I think there's been at least one camp that literally put a hotel together out of shipping containers, and then charged top dollar for people to stay in it, while providing everything they needed.

I'm not aware of such a camp and I think it likely that I would've heard of it had it been around.

Not saying it didn't happen but it sounds like something too egregious to have been successful. The bus tour from LA and Las Vegas on the other hand....

[curiousgnate]

i think there was a "hotel" camp, but its just a place to crash when you are tired etc. not a all needs provided for you and definately no $ involved. i even think i remember reading a camp description for them for this year.

[sputnik]

i think there was a "hotel" camp, but its just a place to crash when you are tired etc. not a all needs provided for you and definately no $ involved. i even think i remember reading a camp description for them for this year.

Probably the Ashram Galactica

http://www.ashramgalactica.com/Home.html

[curiousgnate]

yep

[mournlight]

Just for the record. I'm a first timer and I'm planning on camping out at the edge of somewhere, hopefully bringing everything I need, and bringing along some extra stuff to help someone out. Don't forget that you're more likely to notice those with entitlement issues than you are to notice those who are out there trying to do it right. Hopefully, you'll notice me just for doing something extra.

[curiousgnate]

you know what mournlight, you are right!!!!!! and good for you for taking charge and not expecting for things to be done for you!!!! it is much easier to notice those that are not being self-reliant for whatever reason. kudos to you and may you have a fantabulous burn!

[theCryptofishist]

bump

Cause you know, this might be a good place to talk about people looking for camps at this late date who don't even read through the forum to start their own homework.


Or maybe not, I can't tell.

[geekster]

See, here's the thing ...

NEWBIES! You don't need to "be with" a camp! There is a huge amount of space (most of it, actually) that is dedicated to people who aren't theme camps. Just put your damned tent up.

Now, you say "but I don't have a shade structure". Well, do you intend on just sitting there on your ass next to your own tent not doing anything all day? Probably not. You will notice that there are a lot of camps with shade structures around you.

Go to the Post Office, grab some mail to deliver. You will then have a legitimate non-creepy reason for going to various camps. People love to get mail. Many times they want to chat with you and maybe give you a cool drink.

Many theme (and not so theme) camps have large shaded areas where people are welcome to just sit and chill. See some people with a shady area near you? Grab your chair (and your cup and maybe something to share) and head over there, introduce yourself and talk a bit.

Chances are that you are going to spend a total of about 17.5 minutes per day anywhere near your tent while you are awake anyway. Just bring enough water and food not to be a burden on people and you will be fine. You do not need to be a member of any organized camp and a can of Beef-a-Roni will keep you alive for a day.

Some friends of mine have a non-camp camp. They are not officially organized as a camp yet they all camp together in the open camping area in the same place every year.

You don't need to be a "member" of anything. Most people out there are NOT members of theme camps. Want something to do? Help with something. If you really need shade and the heat is bad, volunteer at Arctica handing out ice or something. Or maybe the cafe, it's shady in there.

You don't need to drag your entire apartment to the playa, it is desert camping. Approach it like you are camping in the desert. Personally, I don't bring a lot of the stuff that needs refrigeration except beer. If I get lost for a couple of days, the worst that happens is my beer gets warm. You will be surprised what you can find in cans or pouches at Asian markets that don't need refrigeration. Try the various ethnic food stores, there's some really cool stuff in there.

It is an adventure and it begins the moment you close the door behind you. Be independent. Seriously. If shit goes totally wrong and your whole tent falls apart and the wind blows it to Winnemucca, there is a good chance you will get through it without being part of an organized camp.

Ask yourself why you want to be part of an organized camp. Is it because you feel some sense of security? Do you feel like you will be mentored and "taken care of"? Forget that thought right there. Even in many theme camps, you are on your own. It really isn't hard. If you put your tent up completely wrong, someone will probably help you with it once they become bored with the show.

Here's the key ... don't build up some scenario in your mind before you even get there. That is what they mean by leaving your expectations at home. Just let it be what it is as it is. If you are all upset because something didn't go the way it was supposed to, let go. Everything is exactly as it is supposed to be. Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. You are stronger than you think you are. Take things as they come and don't anticipate so much.

If you have never been before, then everything you know about the place is wrong anyway so don't even try. Just bring enough food and water, and enough warm stuff to survive nights down in the 30's F and you will be fine. People worry about the heat but it is the cold that surprises them. Be ready for it. Be ready for anything. Open up, let the event seep into you.

Expectations are disappointment and frustration seeds.

[Token]

That should be a locked sticky post!

[Eric]

***applauds geekster***

That was perfect! It should be in the First Timers Guide.