Participation will save us !!

Natural Man · Post by **Natural Man** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:20 pm

It seems that this year especially, while the number of people at BM has increased there has been a non proportional increase in "spectators" and gawkers invading BRC every year.

We were all virgins at one point, but what makes many return to participate and give to the community while others just come to take ?

Regardless of our thoughts, our talents, or creativity (or lack thereof), it seems to me that the most important issue regarding the survival of BM as a relevant event is that somehow the number of "participators"must increase at a faster rate than the spectators.

If not, I'm not hopeful for the future of the event, regardless of what the theme is from year to year.

Maybe the BMorg (and all of us for that matter) should put more effort into communicating and sharing the culture of radical self reliance, radical inclusion, radical self expression and civic responsibility at least as much as the effort that has gone into promoting grand art projects in the last few years (which have been pretty cool btw).

Perhaps better communication of what the community values might begin to attract more of the givers and participators and / or convert the masses of spectators and gawkers at a faster rate.

Any thoughts ?

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:30 pm

How do you determine who is a spectator? Is it acceptable to work a few hours a day driving an art car you spent months building, or a few hours a day running a theme or sound camp, or a few days at the start and end of the event setting up/tearing down an art piece and the rest of the time looking at what other people have brought? Does a flashy costume turn you into a "participant" even if you have contributed nothing else?

Is there a particular type of participation that you feel has not kept pace with the increased population?

K-mom · Post by **K-mom** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:35 am

Dork wrote: Is there a particular type of participation that you feel has not kept pace with the increased population?

That would be Donkey-Fucking.
I'm told that'll all change next year though/..

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:36 am

K-mom wrote:
Dork wrote: Is there a particular type of participation that you feel has not kept pace with the increased population?
That would be Donkey-Fucking.
I'm told that'll all change next year though/..

Playing With Fire said something about "fuckable sheep"... will they be back for 2008? Or are the donkeys replacing them?

B.

Ron · Post by **Ron** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:52 am

When I was about 11 years old my step-grandpa took me to see a Mexican Donkey Fuck in a dirty little bar somewhere in the LA region. He was an alcoholic truck drive who thought he was giving me a valuable "man lesson," by dragging me along to watch some old lady get fucked by a donkey. Between the two, I'll take the "American Dream," as a theme, thanks anyway....

Ron