Burning Man Laser Policy
- some seeing eye
- Posts: 3729
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:06 pm
- Burning Since: 1999
- Camp Name: Woo
- Location: The Oregon
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
@melodiousdirge Any burner is welcome to contact the BMORG to suggest more perfect policies on any topic.
increasing the signal to noise ratio with compassion
- Eric
- Moderator
- Posts: 9360
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 9:45 pm
- Burning Since: 2003
- Camp Name: BRC Weekly
- Contact:
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
I've had to help write policy before - there is absolutely no way that every situation can be addressed, simply because there is no way you can know everything that will come up. If the basic returns policies I was working on for retail had to have that sort of vagueness in areas, can you image the unknowable situations BMan is faced with? Who has any idea what some mad-genius Burner can come up with to do with a pitchfork, two lasers and a blow-dryer? The Org has to leave themselves room to maneuver with a new policy, and I'm sure if something comes up enough it will get addressed specifically in a revision of the policy. Look at any policy for anything - you can bet there is something in there that uses fancy language to say "this policy can be changed whenever we need or want it to".melodiousdirge wrote:I don't mean to be the pain in the ass guy here, I'm just pointing out that there seem to be a few situations that aren't fully addressed.
If you have a specific question involving something you're planning for this year & don't see it addressed, I'd email them. Otherwise we all have to see how it plays out.
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist
Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
- melodiousdirge
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:29 pm
- Burning Since: 2011
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
I understand the dilemma; however from the point of view of a human subject to the rules; ambiguity leads to bullshit. I also understand there is some inevitable bullshit when it comes to rules, I just think it would have been easier to say no unregistered lasers. JMO.Eric wrote:I've had to help write policy before - there is absolutely no way that every situation can be addressed, simply because there is no way you can know everything that will come up. If the basic returns policies I was working on for retail had to have that sort of vagueness in areas, can you image the unknowable situations BMan is faced with? Who has any idea what some mad-genius Burner can come up with to do with a pitchfork, two lasers and a blow-dryer? The Org has to leave themselves room to maneuver with a new policy, and I'm sure if something comes up enough it will get addressed specifically in a revision of the policy. Look at any policy for anything - you can bet there is something in there that uses fancy language to say "this policy can be changed whenever we need or want it to".melodiousdirge wrote:I don't mean to be the pain in the ass guy here, I'm just pointing out that there seem to be a few situations that aren't fully addressed.
If you have a specific question involving something you're planning for this year & don't see it addressed, I'd email them. Otherwise we all have to see how it plays out.
Beware teh snarkasm
- melodiousdirge
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:29 pm
- Burning Since: 2011
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
You're hilarious.some seeing eye wrote:@melodiousdirge Any burner is welcome to contact the BMORG to suggest more perfect policies on any topic.
Beware teh snarkasm
- some seeing eye
- Posts: 3729
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:06 pm
- Burning Since: 1999
- Camp Name: Woo
- Location: The Oregon
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
Any BM policy is a construct of things on its website, things said by staff, things printed in guides and the fine print on the ticket. It could be argued it includes things said on ePlaya. This part of the year, the laser policy is primarily implemented on the placement, MV and art project forms and in those department interactions. Policy includes how the policy is enforced, how enforcement is reported, private agreements with governmental entities and the various permit-related documents. It also interacts with the risk management (insurance) contracts. You can never really know what you have until an injury ends up in the courts.
So let's work together to prevent more injuries, not because of the courts, but for the community.
So let's work together to prevent more injuries, not because of the courts, but for the community.
increasing the signal to noise ratio with compassion
- Eric
- Moderator
- Posts: 9360
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 9:45 pm
- Burning Since: 2003
- Camp Name: BRC Weekly
- Contact:
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
I completely agree. Sadly they didn't ask us when they wrote it.melodiousdirge wrote:I just think it would have been easier to say no unregistered lasers. JMO.
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist
Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
- EspressoDude
- Posts: 4920
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:30 pm
- Location: the first Vancouver
- Contact:
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
There will likely be a re-write between 2015 and 2016 which you can attempt to read with your remaining half blind eye...
Is 4 shots enuff? no foo-foo drinks; just naked Espresso
Tactical Espresso Service http://home.comcast.net/~espressocamp/
Field Artillery Tractor
FOGBANK, GOD OF HELLFIRE
BLACK ROCK f/x Trojan Horse,Anubis,2014Temple
burn shit and blow shit up
Tactical Espresso Service http://home.comcast.net/~espressocamp/
Field Artillery Tractor
FOGBANK, GOD OF HELLFIRE
BLACK ROCK f/x Trojan Horse,Anubis,2014Temple
burn shit and blow shit up
- Lonesomebri
- Posts: 2636
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:54 pm
- Burning Since: 2021
- Camp Name: CAMP THREAT
- Location: NorCal
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
And the inspiration flows in....EspressoDude wrote:There will likely be a re-write between 2015 and 2016 which you can attempt to read with your remaining half blind eye...
I myself will be working on the non-hand held....wait for it......selfie-stick held laser!!!!
No more illuminating other things, not when I can shine on, you crazy diamond.
Camp THREAT: Dominating the porta potties 4 years running.
"If this is the best of all possible worlds, what are the others?"
- Voltaire, Candide
"If this is the best of all possible worlds, what are the others?"
- Voltaire, Candide
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Sooner or later, it will get real strange...
11th Principle: Depussyfication - Keeping Burning Man potentially lethal. Token
11th Principle: Depussyfication - Keeping Burning Man potentially lethal. Token
- melodiousdirge
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:29 pm
- Burning Since: 2011
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
I realize the above edited statement overstates your claim a bit, but nonetheless I'd like to say I've seen little or no evidence that any opinions expressed on ePlaya make it into official org policy.some seeing eye wrote:Any BM policy is a construct [...] things said on ePlaya.
100% agreed.some seeing eye wrote:So let's work together to prevent more injuries, not because of the courts, but for the community.
Beware teh snarkasm
- some seeing eye
- Posts: 3729
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:06 pm
- Burning Since: 1999
- Camp Name: Woo
- Location: The Oregon
Re: New Burning Man Laser Policy
Hahaha, I think we are in agreement. In a lawsuit, if a person is injured, they could cite insufficient discouragement on ePlaya, as an organ of the man, of the bad idea at fault.
You are also right that the BMORG does not monitor ePlaya closely for new ideas. They get the drift on things like the spa camps, DJ advance lineups, and individual department members on ePlaya may trickle up ideas toward policy. I have found establishing cred over time then emailing the right person can have an impact.
You are also right that the BMORG does not monitor ePlaya closely for new ideas. They get the drift on things like the spa camps, DJ advance lineups, and individual department members on ePlaya may trickle up ideas toward policy. I have found establishing cred over time then emailing the right person can have an impact.
increasing the signal to noise ratio with compassion
- Traveller in Time
- Posts: 1080
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:52 am
- Burning Since: 2020
- Camp Name: Neon Light Alley (should be: Camp Envy)
Re: Burning Man Laser Policy
Brilliantly formulated; no handheld (bicycle held . . . )
Wasnt it a few years ago there was a Lasered Clock spreading hands over the City and Playa?
There was a lot of paperwork involved still somewhere in the dusty archives.
How about welding arcs? Those contain a lot of UV at close range.
Someone from Camp Sextant to measure their radiation spectrum
Wasnt it a few years ago there was a Lasered Clock spreading hands over the City and Playa?
There was a lot of paperwork involved still somewhere in the dusty archives.
How about welding arcs? Those contain a lot of UV at close range.
Someone from Camp Sextant to measure their radiation spectrum

Dreaming a temporary world improving the default world
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Re: Burning Man Laser Policy
Well how the heck do you get your pre-playa tan then?Traveller in Time wrote: How about welding arcs? Those contain a lot of UV at close range.
- Traveller in Time
- Posts: 1080
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:52 am
- Burning Since: 2020
- Camp Name: Neon Light Alley (should be: Camp Envy)
Re: Burning Man Laser Policy
Tan with arcs, removing tatoos with LASER, both can be the last you will see.Token wrote:Well how the heck do you get your pre-playa tan then?Traveller in Time wrote: How about welding arcs? Those contain a lot of UV at close range.
Well the arcs will not hunt you all over the playa

Dreaming a temporary world improving the default world
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Not expressing yourself but embracing all other expressions is The Challenge
...I can make anything I can imagine . . . I just can't make _some_ things happen
Have some Free will
Re: Burning Man Laser Policy
That just means you are not trying hard enough.Traveller in Time wrote:
Well the arcs will not hunt you all over the playa
viewtopic.php?f=467&t=78759