What is a 'Burner'?

[Casanova]

Radical Inclusion
Anyone may be a part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community.

So as soon as someone rings the bell are they now a 'Burner'? or do we say a 'Burner' is someone who embodies the burning man spirit, and those 'ravers' that attend aren't burners, or do we say a 'burner' is just a stereotype and end the conversation?

Thoughts, feelings, opinions?

[unjonharley]

"I" would say, Your a burner when you say you are.. Most called burner are seasoned burners.. Ones that give a fuck..

[Captain Goddammit]

What about us seasoned burners who don't give a fuck?

[Casanova]

So being a 'burner' is subjective?, You can think you are a burner, but I can think you are not. Can a person who has never been to burning man be a burner if they say they are?

[Simon of the Playa]

you cant be a race car driver if you have never set foot in a motor vehicle.

you cant be a swimmer without first going in the water.

just because you embody or adhere to the principles of swimming doesnt mean shit until you get tossed in the drink.




you are a burner AFTER you have burned.....duh....all other semantics are mental noodling that is akin to masturbation.

i'll get the OP a Kleenex if he would like.

[Captain Goddammit]

I'll add to that, all of which is spot-on, that if you're someone who goes to Burning Man you're a burner regardless of what principles you do or don't adhere to. If Charles Manson or George Bush or Rush Limbaugh or Pee Wee Herman went to Burning Man every summer, they would be burners.

[AntiM]

It is possible for a person to have burnery traits, or be a good potential burner. But they pretty much need to burn to be a burner. I do count regionals.

[unjonharley]

Is it possible to call himself a burner if he is ugly and calls himself Captain, goddamit

[Eric]

I'll add to that, all of which is spot-on, that if you're someone who goes to Burning Man you're a burner regardless of what principles you do or don't adhere to. If Charles Manson or George Bush or Rush Limbaugh or Pee Wee Herman went to Burning Man every summer, they would be burners.

Pretty much this. My emphasis is on repeat visits - if you've attended & plan to attend again (even if it takes years), you're a Burner.

[Simon of the Playa]

once could be a bucket lister, you are right...


BUT...if you are stupi, i mean BURNY enough to want to spend a week in that hellho, i mean pristine wastela, i mean high desert, with a bunch of perve, i mean Creative Types and Crimina, i mean Outliers, and other such devia, i mean ARTISTS, then you are a schmu, i mean BURNER!!!

[Casanova]

you are a burner AFTER you have burned...

So a raver that goes to burning man for the party and the drugs, you would consider them a 'true burner' (if they go more than once), and would also call an artist who loves the desert and gives to the burner community the same?, seems to me like they are different and that's why I asked the question.

[FIGJAM]

Burners come in all shapes, sizes, and mind sets.

Just like nakkid people!!!

[unjonharley]

A little salt and pepper and you have a seasoned burner..

[Simon of the Playa]

So a raver that goes to burning man for the party and the drugs, you would consider them a 'true burner' (if they go more than once), and would also call an artist who loves the desert and gives to the burner community the same?, seems to me like they are different and that's why I asked the question.

there are no "true" burners.....we all burn differently....now please, gtfo any notion of one man's burn being somehow more important than another man or woman's burn...

trying to define a burner is like trying to define burning man...

bitch, please.

[Captain Goddammit]

So a raver that goes to burning man for the party and the drugs, you would consider them a 'true burner' (if they go more than once), and would also call an artist who loves the desert and gives to the burner community the same?, seems to me like they are different and that's why I asked the question.

They are very different. But they're both burners.
I think the "bucket lister" who shows up once, especially just for the weekend, might be a possible exception, and maybe also the cops or other service providers such as JOTS guys who only go because it's their job, although I've met cops that love going to Burning Man and were on waiting lists to get the assignment. I've even traded swag with a few of the enthusiastic and friendly cops. I also met a water truck guy who came back after his shift to ride around town on my boat. I think they count as burners.

[tatonka]

" My piss and Moans are the fuel ,that set my head on fire , so smell my soul burning"

tool , Bottom

[Eric]

So a raver that goes to burning man for the party and the drugs, you would consider them a 'true burner' (if they go more than once), and would also call an artist who loves the desert and gives to the burner community the same?, seems to me like they are different and that's why I asked the question.

They are very different. But they're both burners.

Yup.

There is no right way to Burn. Period. I have friends who go because the they love, love, love the dancing. They've also built huge art-cars to take the dance & the love out into the deep playa. I have friends who build nothing, and their participation pretty much involves hanging around and making people laugh. I have friends who volunteer all week, build amazing art, and give until their hands bleed. They are all Burners, they all love the Burn, they all "get" what they personally need out of the Burn. If you don't like the way someone is Burning, walk away. You're sure to find someone who is doing it differently within a few feet.

[Casanova]

Last time I checked this was the Burning Man Politics & Philosophy message board, so Simon if you can't have an intelligent conversation then no need to rant here. I don't know what your mad about.

And tatonka i don't know what that means.

I asked a question I was curious about, and so thanks Eric and Captain for attempting to clarify for me. I ask questions to learn, I don't know how that implies a notion of one man's burn better than another.

I think the conclusion here are that there are different types, of burners? A system of ontological categories drawn out in any of these modes has the potential for a great many uses in philosophy, so if I am on the wrong board just let me know.

P.s. Hi again FIGJAM

[FIGJAM]

I think the point is that to label is to limit.

We are limitless, so how can we label?

And don't worry about Simon.

He's omnidirectional, so don't try to label him either!!!

[theCryptofishist]

Even the "frat boy" weekender who goes year after year after year...

[Casanova]

[quote="FIGJAM"]to label is to limit.[/quote]

That's what I was looking for, I did some research and found this: http://tinybuddha.com/blog/labels-we-ta ... potential/

thanks FIGJAM

[Simon of the Playa]

ask stupid questions and you'll get the appropriate replies.


and perhaps if you did not use words and phrases that imply that someone who is burny but never burned is somehow MORE burnerific than the Lowly Raver who attends every year then maybe i would not be so snarky.


dont like me? don't read me.

[VultureChow]

Was it Kierkegaard or Dick Van Patten, who said "If you label me, you negate me."

[unjonharley]

ask stupid questions and you'll get the appropriate replies.


dont like me? don't read me.

The OP didn't like page #2 before one.. The rest of us love your rotting soul.

[BBadger]

You went to Burning Man. You intend on going back. That's it.

[goathead]

I keep going and all I am is dusty.

[MyDearFriend]

I keep going and all I am is dusty wonderful.

fixed that for ya.

[tamarakay]

Good to see you Casanova. You are enough of an old timer to know Simon's humor. Goodness.

A contractor walked by me cubicle, saw my pictures on my wall and asked if I were a burner. D'oh. How many non burners have pictures of brc on their cubicles?