Burning Man Laser Policy

[some seeing eye]

@melodiousdirge Any burner is welcome to contact the BMORG to suggest more perfect policies on any topic.

[Eric]

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.

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".

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.

[melodiousdirge]

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.

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".

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.

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.

[melodiousdirge]

@melodiousdirge Any burner is welcome to contact the BMORG to suggest more perfect policies on any topic.

You're hilarious.

[some seeing eye]

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.

[Eric]

I just think it would have been easier to say no unregistered lasers. JMO.

I completely agree. Sadly they didn't ask us when they wrote it.

[EspressoDude]

There will likely be a re-write between 2015 and 2016 which you can attempt to read with your remaining half blind eye...

[Lonesomebri]

There will likely be a re-write between 2015 and 2016 which you can attempt to read with your remaining half blind eye...

And the inspiration flows in....
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.

[Jackass]

scarylaser.gif

[melodiousdirge]

Any BM policy is a construct [...] things said on ePlaya.

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.

So let's work together to prevent more injuries, not because of the courts, but for the community.

100% agreed.

[some seeing eye]

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.

[Traveller in Time]

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

[Token]

How about welding arcs? Those contain a lot of UV at close range.

Well how the heck do you get your pre-playa tan then?

[Traveller in Time]

How about welding arcs? Those contain a lot of UV at close range.

Well how the heck do you get your pre-playa tan then?

Tan with arcs, removing tatoos with LASER, both can be the last you will see.

Well the arcs will not hunt you all over the playa

[Token]

Well the arcs will not hunt you all over the playa

That just means you are not trying hard enough.

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