So uh, how do you describe Burning Man to people?

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:35 pm

I've been to the Playa 3 years now, but I'm still at a loss to describe the event to people who've never been. People seem to want a few sentences with the general concept but it just doesn't fit into any of the normal boxes. Telling them it's an arts and music festival rave temporary hippie commune survivalist camping trip nudist colony freakshow orgy pagan ritual drugfest temporary utopian city doesn't seem to do the trick.

How do you introduce the idea to people who've never heard of Burning Man before?

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:02 pm

How do you introduce the idea to people who've never heard of Burning Man before?

Quick and easy answer: stop trying.

I just refer folks to the web site and let them at it.

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:11 pm

If its someone I think would like it.

Then I tell them its a celebration of the Arts.

If its someone that would be offended or might be turned off by it.

Then, its just a bunch of dust covered, bad smelling, dope smoking, naked, grey hair hippy communal in the desert!

Works all the time.

A II Z

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:29 pm

Start with the human sacrifice portion of it, then move on to the mandatory drug experimentation and anal rape. Make sure to mention the Mormon aspects of it all too.

If they still want to go, well- you did try and warn them...

III · Post by **III** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 5:59 pm

most accurate description i've heard to date:

it's like the special olympics of art.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:01 pm

Then, its just a bunch of dust covered, bad smelling, dope smoking, naked, grey hair hippy communal in the desert!

Works all the time.

Don't forget to stress the patchouli factor.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:22 pm

I prefer the classic:

"It's a fucking camping trip in the desert"

PurpleKoosh · Post by **PurpleKoosh** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:51 pm

I explained it to my husband this way:

"Remember what the parking lot looked like at the Coliseum when the Dead were in town?"

"Yeah...." (He followed the band on a couple of tours.)

"Multiply that by 150."

"Got it. The National Training Center on LSD." (Did I mention he's a vet, too?)

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 6:59 pm

I for one am tired of people looking at me like I'm weirder than I am. So I tell em: Burnig man sucks. They already have there own idea and expect me to change it for then. That sucks. Fuck em and feed em fish heads.

DVD Burner · Post by **DVD Burner** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 7:06 pm

unjonharley wrote:I for one am tired of people looking at me like I'm weirder than I am. So I tell em: Burnig man sucks. They already have there own idea and expect me to change it for then. That sucks. Fuck em and feed em fish heads.

or just serve fish head soup with a side of balut.

_tears_ · Post by **_tears_** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:58 pm

I merely smile,explain it is a wild new adventure in life. And then reffer them to the website

que.f.o. · Post by **que.f.o.** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:02 pm

I have a tendency to not describe it. People who know me realize it is a mistake to bring Burningman up. "Obsessed" is the term generally applied to me. For those who don't know me well, I also refer people to the Web page, telling them to approach it with an open mind.

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:21 pm

If someone comes up to you and asks about Burning Man- whip out your penis/tits. Then start hammering away at anything vaguely bucket/drum like until you pass out from exhuastion.

When they manage to wake you up, ask for drugs.

When they refuse to give some to you- accuse them of not being "in the spirit of Burning Man", yell at them to stop looking at your penis/tits and storm away in disgust. Pick up a piece of trash on the way out. Bitch about the people who left it there.

Hint: This generally works best in public parks and grade school playgrounds.

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:30 pm

Uh....well after that comment from Rob, I'll chime in and say I refer people to the website. If they keep asking questions they quickly find out it's not just a fucking camping trip, it's a year round obsession for me.

And I always emphasize that an open mind is not optional, it's mandatory.

Karma · Post by **Karma** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:57 pm

If it's someone I feel it's worth my time to explain it to, I just say this.

Through the course of driving around, or walking down the street or whatever day or night, how often do they see something that just stops them in there tracks, makes em pull over to the side of the road and think to themselves "Holy shit, look at that".
Maybe once every couple of months at best is the usual response.

Then I just say "Well, at Burningman, that happens about every 15 minutes ! "

That gets em thinkin

Patience · Post by **Patience** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:32 am

Rob the Wop wrote:If someone comes up to you and asks about Burning Man- whip out your penis/tits. Then start hammering away at anything vaguely bucket/drum like until you pass out from exhuastion.

When they manage to wake you up, ask for drugs.

When they refuse to give some to you- accuse them of not being "in the spirit of Burning Man", yell at them to stop looking at your penis/tits and storm away in disgust. Pick up a piece of trash on the way out. Bitch about the people who left it there.

Hint: This generally works best in public parks and grade school playgrounds.

Goddamn this low-jack itches. Rob, I'm never taking your advice again.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:37 am

it's an adult DIY themepark

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:59 am

Dork wrote:...How do you introduce the idea to people who've never heard of Burning Man before?

I'd start with describing the scars on your feet, and just work your way up.

juanicoheal · Post by **juanicoheal** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:16 pm

Are you trying to scare the crap out of me or turn me on?

Ok never mind - I'm hot, bothered and scared shitless. Can't wait for my dust baptismal!

trocar · Post by **trocar** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:17 pm

My first year I was given perhaps the best advice on how to approach this problem. Unfortunately, it wasn't until the following few years that I really understood what it was all about. Oddly enough it was from someone who I have had many personal conflicts with. I still have to kick myself for not taking his advice. There are a bunch of people who I might still enjoy hanging around with had I. Plus I might not have to worry about running into them out there.

"OK...So when you go home tell all of your enimies, acquaintances, and most importantly...your very very dear friends that it was the worst thing you have ever experienced. A total waste of time and money. The people that go to that thing are compleatly annoying and lack creativity. Man, I couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. It's all hot and dusty and the bugs are horrible. Under NO circumstance would I ever go back. Then secretly start planning for next year"

Kona · Post by **Kona** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:56 pm

I don't remember who originally posted this description (several years back), but it's the most memorable for me-

"Remember when you were a kid and got to play house?

Now you're an adult and you get to play city!"

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:13 am

Cool one.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:32 am

Most of my coworkers think Burning Man is "in Alabama".

Last Real Burner · Post by **Last Real Burner** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:17 am

Hey Kona, nice avatar, and welcome to the board.

"I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member."
reclusively,
mr smith

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:45 am

Last Real Burner wrote: "I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member."
reclusively,
mr smith

/
Ah Groucho Marx speaks.

Patamon · Post by **Patamon** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:35 am

1/3 Mad Max
1/3 Dr. Suess
1/3 Las Vegas

That is Burning Man.

- Patamon

Lydia Love · Post by **Lydia Love** » Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:41 am

I've posted this before... but what the hell

"The worst of New Orleans and the best of Disneyland"

notthat1 · Post by **notthat1** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 8:02 pm

Patamon wrote:1/3 Mad Max
1/3 Dr. Suess
1/3 Las Vegas

That is Burning Man.

- Patamon

Nice

tonka · Post by **tonka** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 1:47 pm

Patamon wrote:1/3 Mad Max
1/3 Dr. Suess
1/3 Las Vegas

That is Burning Man.

- Patamon

^ my favorite.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Mon Mar 01, 2004 4:42 pm

you forgot the STAR WARS cantina... the way you remember it, rather than that piece of shit digitial remix!!!

So uh, how do you describe Burning Man to people?

So uh, how do you describe Burning Man to people?

Depends on who you speak to

The best way.

Re: The best way.

Re: So uh, how do you describe Burning Man to people?

Paraphrasing an old eplaya post

Re: Paraphrasing an old eplaya post

Re: Paraphrasing an old eplaya post

How I describe it to Newbies...

Re: How I describe it to Newbies...

Re: How I describe it to Newbies...