Decoding the Org

[some seeing eye]

When I read Mr Harvey's blog post on tickets, I realized there may be a pattern at work in the mysterious workings of the org, self reliance by us.

Most data for 2012 points to self-scalping, excess purchases by BM participants, not commercial scalpers. In response, the org says, "business as usual, we'll get our revenues and you deal with your own issues".

If you read back through the sexual assault threads, the response is similar. "Not our problem, it's BED's problem".

LEO, ditto.

The org, especially in the twilight of its founders is very selective in taking on new issues, doesn't mean participants can't.

[Ugly Dougly]

It ain't Disneyland.

[Ugly Dougly]

In fairness, that is in regard to identity based tracking, to keep tickets from being scalped. And that less than 1% of ticket sales is due to scalping.

[gaminwench]

They actually are addressing the sexual assault issues;
last week they made B.E.D. an official staff organization.
This will allow for funding support,
it also opens the door for B.E.D. to work more closely with ESD.
B.E.D. was begun by participants as a result of experiences on the playa,
I think it appropriate that 'the system' acknowledge their good work and find ways to incorporate the B.E.D. message into the 'official' paperwork.

[Eric]

LEO, ditto.

{mod mode off}

They have Rangers trained as liaisons between the LEOs & Burners, to help deal with issues the Rangers can't deal with. They have meetings on-playa with the LEOs to deal with issues that arise (I believe daily, but I may be wrong about that). They use the survival guide & the BMan website to warn everyone to follow Federal & State laws. They can't control LEOs deciding to ticket everything to "prove" they need more money from the Org. They can just warn people not to give them an excuse.

What do you want - someone from the Org holding your damn hand & telling not to do something stupid in front of the LEOs that are blatantly everywhere?

{/mod mode on}

[theCryptofishist]

Yes, every single day.

[Box Burner]

I need a LEO as my personal bodyguard too. you never know what might happen.

[maladroit]

In 25 years, it will be a law-enforcement-only event. It'll be their yearly retreat to normalcy.

[trilobyte]

Eric, yes there are daily meetings. If you fill out the law enforcement feedback form on playa (rangers should have 'em, you can also print it and fill out your own), give it to a ranger on playa and they'll review it with law enforcementat the next meeting. Good or bad is helpful.

As for BED, yeah they've recently been made a department, though that's been in the works for years (and they've gotten support from Burning Man over the last couple years).

I think it would be a mistake to jump to the conclusion that Burning Man is simply going hands-off or not putting a lot of energy into any new issues. One of the dangers of reading between the lines and second-guessing things is that, well, you're just reading between the lines and second-guessing things. I read Larry's post as an explanation as to why Burning Man is not going to do identity-based tickets. Nothing more, but it's an important point to make for many (a lot of people suggested name-on-ticket schemes). If you want to read anything into his post, it's that Burning Man is making an effort to do a better job communicating their decision-making on ticketing.

[goathead]

LEO, ditto.

{mod mode off}

They have Rangers trained as liaisons between the LEOs & Burners, to help deal with issues the Rangers can't deal with. They have meetings on-playa with the LEOs to deal with issues that arise (I believe daily, but I may be wrong about that). They use the survival guide & the BMan website to warn everyone to follow Federal & State laws. They can't control LEOs deciding to ticket everything to "prove" they need more money from the Org. They can just warn people not to give them an excuse.

What do you want - someone from the Org holding your damn hand & telling not to do something stupid in front of the LEOs that are blatantly everywhere?

{/mod mode on}

Could we have TSA come out?
Haven't had a good groping for a while now?

[Roark]

LEO, ditto.

{mod mode off}

They have Rangers trained as liaisons between the LEOs & Burners, to help deal with issues the Rangers can't deal with. They have meetings on-playa with the LEOs to deal with issues that arise (I believe daily, but I may be wrong about that). They use the survival guide & the BMan website to warn everyone to follow Federal & State laws. They can't control LEOs deciding to ticket everything to "prove" they need more money from the Org. They can just warn people not to give them an excuse.

What do you want - someone from the Org holding your damn hand & telling not to do something stupid in front of the LEOs that are blatantly everywhere?

{/mod mode on}

Could we have TSA come out?
Haven't had a good groping for a while now?

Be careful what you wish for. BRC does have an airport and some wanker in Washington DC may decide 50,000 potential "threats" need screening. Ugh...

[H.G.Crosby]

some wanker in Washington DC may decide 50,000 potential "threats" need screening

you are either being very coy, or prescient...