hipechk wrote:What is happening to burning man? Is reality catching up to it?
Last year it was the most positive experience of my life, and I bragged about how I didn't hear even one voice raised in anger, let alone witness a fight. It renewed my faith in mankind that (for at least a week) people could be kind, and patient, and understanding and create a community of peace.
This was not even close to my experience this year. I heard many voices raised in anger. The event was thick with frat boy mentality. The night of the temple burn, usually a night of reverence, was especially disturbing. Three men in front of me (one dressed in a silver sequined dress) mocked and sang (horribly) over the opera singer the entire time in the largest display of disrespect I could have imagined. Meanwhile, a young woman with a megaphone stood behind me showering the crowd with a barrage of magnified "F@ck Off!" variances.
Are these newbies that don't understand the philosophy of Burning Man? Is the event getting so big that it's drawing in too many lookie loos? And most importantly, what can be done to bring the event back to its philosophical roots?
These negative observations are not mine alone. Several of my campmates had similar experiences - which is making us question whether we'll return next year. It would be sad if this bad karma drives off exactly the type of people that embrace the spirit of Burning Man.
If you show up then it will be just them. Bet you have another great year this time!
meanwhile have a laugh at this and look at the real BM.
http://www.modernpirate.com/burn.html
A II Z
