2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
- Ninja Nemo
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2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
So its up:
http://burningman.com/art_of_burningman/bm13_theme.html
My first thought was WTF? The man base sounds very ambitious and techy. Granted it fits with the theme very well, but I (personally) had hoped for a return to a simpler base.
That said, there's a lot of possibilities art-wise. Any chance the man will have tesla-coils built into his hands ala the pic?
http://burningman.com/art_of_burningman/bm13_theme.html
My first thought was WTF? The man base sounds very ambitious and techy. Granted it fits with the theme very well, but I (personally) had hoped for a return to a simpler base.
That said, there's a lot of possibilities art-wise. Any chance the man will have tesla-coils built into his hands ala the pic?
- Simon of the Playa
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Frida Be You & Me
- Ninja Nemo
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
It does have a nice social / burner commentary aspect to it. Personally, I knew nothing of the cargo cults until this, so its enlightening as well. The more I read about it, the more I like it. In my view, it seems to be a manifestation / commentary on decommodification, which should spark some interesting art.
Per wikipedia:
"A cargo cult is a religious practice that has appeared in many traditional pre-industrial tribal societies in the wake of interaction with technologically advanced cultures. The cults focus on obtaining the material wealth (the "cargo") of the advanced culture through magic and religious rituals and practices.
"The primary association in cargo cults is between the divine nature of "cargo" (manufactured goods) and the advanced, non-native behavior, clothing and equipment of the recipients of the "cargo". Since the modern manufacturing process is unknown to them, members, leaders, and prophets of the cults maintain that the manufactured goods of the non-native culture have been created by spiritual means, such as through their deities and ancestors, and are intended for the local indigenous people, but that the foreigners have unfairly gained control of these objects through malice or mistake."
Per wikipedia:
"A cargo cult is a religious practice that has appeared in many traditional pre-industrial tribal societies in the wake of interaction with technologically advanced cultures. The cults focus on obtaining the material wealth (the "cargo") of the advanced culture through magic and religious rituals and practices.
"The primary association in cargo cults is between the divine nature of "cargo" (manufactured goods) and the advanced, non-native behavior, clothing and equipment of the recipients of the "cargo". Since the modern manufacturing process is unknown to them, members, leaders, and prophets of the cults maintain that the manufactured goods of the non-native culture have been created by spiritual means, such as through their deities and ancestors, and are intended for the local indigenous people, but that the foreigners have unfairly gained control of these objects through malice or mistake."
- TomServo
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Time to bring back the disgruntled postal workers.
anything worth doing is worth overdoing..
- oscillator
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Let's Ride...
- trilobyte
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
I like it. Lots of opportunity for sci-fi and other crazy art. While the idea may sound silly at first, it's a real thing that's happened time and again throughout history.
- theCryptofishist
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Okay, I love it, I love it, I love it!
I have a story... Later.
Too bad there won't be 12 Streets. "Magical Thinking Avenue" is just, so, right.
I have a story... Later.
Too bad there won't be 12 Streets. "Magical Thinking Avenue" is just, so, right.
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
This is awesome. So many possibilities to get creative and it fits the burning man values so well as a mocking celebration of commodity consumption!
I really like the man base as well, my favorite part of last years burn was being able to sit save and sound, away from all the elements, underneath the man connecting with fellow burners. It looks like we'll get another chance to do that again this year.
I really like the man base as well, my favorite part of last years burn was being able to sit save and sound, away from all the elements, underneath the man connecting with fellow burners. It looks like we'll get another chance to do that again this year.
- trilobyte
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
You'll also get to slide the slides!
- Ugly Dougly
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
And I thought Larry never listens to me. Thanks, bro!


- Simon of the Playa
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
i just licked the lizard, and i agree, this theme is Out of this World...
i can't wait for the morning trade rags with the reviews.
i can't wait for the morning trade rags with the reviews.
Frida Be You & Me
- MacGlenver
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Awesome theme. Love the mock-up of The Man.
"just two indecisive cowboys, trying to play a word game." - piehole
"Just apply intelligence and discretion and you should be able to get away with just about anything." - Ugly Dougly
"Just apply intelligence and discretion and you should be able to get away with just about anything." - Ugly Dougly
- Ugly Dougly
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
One word, my friend: kava.
- VultureChow
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Opened the link and though I was looking at a Simon of the Playa "theme" from one of the threads here. Had to triple check it's veracity.
Now I feel like a jaded veteran. I looked at the theme and am going to promptly ignore it. My mountain lion taxidermy form will be here next week so I can begin my completely unrelated art.
Now I feel like a jaded veteran. I looked at the theme and am going to promptly ignore it. My mountain lion taxidermy form will be here next week so I can begin my completely unrelated art.
Sic Semper Spectatores
Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
I'm hoping to see lots of GilliganTech/bamboopunk this year. It's sort of cargo-culty..... CLOSE ENOUGH.
BAMBOOPUNK IS THE NEW STEAMPUNK. You heard it here first, friends.
Hey, maybe this is what I'll finally turn my golf cart into for this year:

EDIT: I'm JUST SAYING.
BAMBOOPUNK IS THE NEW STEAMPUNK. You heard it here first, friends.
Hey, maybe this is what I'll finally turn my golf cart into for this year:

EDIT: I'm JUST SAYING.

Last edited by brody on Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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(cold hands, warm bacon)
(cold hands, warm bacon)
- BoyScoutGirl
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Wait... didn't Simon post about The Gods Must Be Crazy over in the theme theorizing thread? Evidence that his time-travel machine is working!
When he lights his streetlamp, it is as if he brought one more star to life, or one flower.
When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.
That is a beautiful occupation.
- Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.
That is a beautiful occupation.
- Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Let us not rail about justice as long as we have arms and the freedom to use them- Duke Leto Atreides
- VultureChow
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
All skydivers will be greeted and worshiped as gods.
Sic Semper Spectatores
- ygmir
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
at least my pants and shorts will be in style.
YGMIR
Unabashed Nordic
Pagan
Unabashed Nordic
Pagan
Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
I absolutely, 100%, love it. Might inspire a lot more enthusiasm than, say, American Dream. It feels like they really tried to come up with something good, and I hope the Man structure can actually exist as depicted.
Spinning Man will be a small source of disorientation for those who use it as a landmark at night
Spinning Man will be a small source of disorientation for those who use it as a landmark at night

- junglesmacks
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Love it love it love it love it love it..
NOW, LET'S GET WEIRD..
NOW, LET'S GET WEIRD..
Savannah wrote:It sounds freaky & wrong, so you need to do it.
- joel the ornery
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
ygmir wrote:at least my pants and shorts will be in style.
oh, think big!
become a deity to all the young women needing a firm hand.
- trilobyte
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Cargo pants altar… cargo shorts altar… which would receive the most offerings? Would the shamans promote peace, or preach of the perils of worshipping (wearshipping?) false garments?
Will someone get their Dharma Initiative on?
Will someone get their Dharma Initiative on?
Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
The post about it mentions the man rotating on his base? Could this be true?
- ecweber
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
I like it! Reminds me of this:
All Devils May Have Horns, I Have Saxophones, So Come and Burn with the Weber!
- trilobyte
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Fiver - yes it is.
Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
I like the general idea of "we've fucked up beyond belief! the aliens should save us!".
BUT, bringing in cargo cults is some seriously colonialist shit. Which is to say, racist. I feel like it's going to be a year full of tiki bars and other "gentle racism", and people of color or of other nations will be seriously mocked, starting with the poorly done theme announcement itself.
So, I hate to say it, but this Burner (and theme camp organizer) will have to break a 10-year streak to boycott BM based on the theme. Which makes me super-sad.
Also, this is going to put a real damper on the people of color who have been attending. It was awesome to see increasing numbers of folks over the last couple years, and this may well reverse that. Also, I think we can expect blowback from anti-racist organizations.
BMOrg, you fucked up big time on this one. Think about changing it?
BUT, bringing in cargo cults is some seriously colonialist shit. Which is to say, racist. I feel like it's going to be a year full of tiki bars and other "gentle racism", and people of color or of other nations will be seriously mocked, starting with the poorly done theme announcement itself.
So, I hate to say it, but this Burner (and theme camp organizer) will have to break a 10-year streak to boycott BM based on the theme. Which makes me super-sad.
Also, this is going to put a real damper on the people of color who have been attending. It was awesome to see increasing numbers of folks over the last couple years, and this may well reverse that. Also, I think we can expect blowback from anti-racist organizations.
BMOrg, you fucked up big time on this one. Think about changing it?
Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Navigating the playa late night is going to be a nightmaretrilobyte wrote:Fiver - yes it is.

Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
Oh my but does this look fun!!!! If the Man base turns out anywhere close to the rendition it will be amazing and burn beautifully!!!!
- Ugly Dougly
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Re: 2013 Theme - Cargo Cult - thoughts?
I'm not seeing the racism, pepomint. Millenialism is not restricted to Melanesians. "Cargo Cult" is emblematic of our cultural illusions.
By the way, did you leap to condemn the racism of the Floating World?
Burning Man has had tiki bars from the very beginning.
By the way, did you leap to condemn the racism of the Floating World?
Burning Man has had tiki bars from the very beginning.