the dark ages?

android2xl · Post by **android2xl** » Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:35 pm

this last year was the first year i've missed burning man in three years. what's i'm curious about is what everyone thought about this last BM, cause i really didn't hear very many good reviews.

the first time i went was amazing, the second time was beyond words, third time so so, and last year was missed. i'm just trying to decide if i should go next year.

i'm not really into the rave thing cause i already consumed the mid west rave scene up here. i go to burning man to get away from normal life. i mostly enjoyed participating with stuff like art cars, animal control, poking the locals, and the POST OFFICE always rocked my vote, but i duno... i just kinda hear those types of things are going down hill.

i really don't wana spend my time and energy on this event anymore if it has gone south. what do you people think? i'm not trying to be jaded or rude, i'm really curious cause it's different for everyone.

side note:
please don't sell out and respond by saying 'it is what you make of it', thanx.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 8:03 am

I first went in '03, and returned this year- In the first year it seemed as though there was more going on in more places, more big artworks, and a more densely-packed Esplanade. That said, I think I ENJOYED this year MORE, since I connected with people a lot more than during the first year when I was busy running around, going "Gee Whiz!" at everything. I know you're not looking for "It's what you make it", but unless you're just going for the "rides" I guess that's really all that's left. Fundamentally, it's going to be an artificial city full of entertaining, dusty lunatics every year without fail and without change.

tonytohono · Post by **tonytohono** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 9:05 am

It really is what you make of it though, right?

I mean if you can't find a way to enjoy yourself at BM who is to blame? I had a blast and I will go again next year, and most like the years that follow, barring a state of Marshall Law or something~!

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 12:26 pm

I hear ya android.

I think the first time at burning man is *usually* the best because it's such a departure from what you're used to. But then I had better experiences in some ways in the following years. This past year was a disaster for me because I brought the wrong person (though she does want to try again) and for other reasons.

I think BM is getting too complicated and too spectatorish (judging from center camp stages with performers to the art under the man looking like a museum instead of an interactive space like it used to be and even the tickets and other paperwork you get at the gate which can't be cheap and becomes more trash to pick up). I say: get back to basics on the 20th anniversary. Provide the space and let the participants decide what will be in it. Maybe even go totally retro and do it like it was done in the past with super-minimal BMOrg setup just to brush away the cobwebs and see what new things grow there (I'm thinking of what happens after a forest fire).

I think every year is a crapshoot. I just wish BMOrg was more aware of how they've changed things for the worse, though -- changed the environment as I've mentioned above (while, I'm sure, trying to change things for the better which is to be lauded). Maybe they are. Who knows. I wish I was closer to the core.

tonytohono · Post by **tonytohono** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:55 pm

If everyone dislikes centercamp so much why do they bother going there? I visited centercamp one time, and that was enough of that for me other than riding past on my bike, and a couple of trips to the ice truck.

There's too much going on elsewhere to watch stuff that looks like it came out of a talent show.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 6:52 pm

tonytohono wrote:If everyone dislikes centercamp so much why do they bother going there? I visited centercamp one time, and that was enough of that for me other than riding past on my bike, and a couple of trips to the ice truck.

There's too much going on elsewhere to watch stuff that looks like it came out of a talent show.

Because center camp used to be a great place to go to meetup, meet new people, hang out, talk, relax, watch the world go by, etc. Now it's just annoying and uncomfortable.

tonytohono · Post by **tonytohono** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 7:02 pm

Well then, why not make a left of center, or right of center camp, as the case may be and show everyone what they were missing.

Too much good stuff still going on to spend so much time complaining about what is now missing. I mean shit, I had a good time everywhere I went. Next year, I'm not going to worry about what is missing from last year, I'm going to be too busy looking for what is this year to be thinking that way.

My glass is always half full... or even fuller...

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 11:14 am

Well then, why not make a left of center, or right of center camp, as the case may be and show everyone what they were missing

Too good of an idea not to do!

There's ALWAYS more to do than could possibly be done, and always something cool that I JUST missed....This year I brought the makings for personalized aluminum playatags, and just sitting down and making gifts provided an opportunity for people to gather and greet. I could have spent the entire event making those tags, and anticipate doing it again next year but in a more mobile way.....

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:22 pm

tonytohono wrote:Well then, why not make a left of center, or right of center camp, as the case may be and show everyone what they were missing.

Too much good stuff still going on to spend so much time complaining about what is now missing. I mean shit, I had a good time everywhere I went. Next year, I'm not going to worry about what is missing from last year, I'm going to be too busy looking for what is this year to be thinking that way.

My glass is always half full... or even fuller...

haha. "Left of Center Camp". Great idea.

Not spending too much time complaining. Just complaining about some things I see as running directly counter to "no spectators" and "leave no trace".

android2xl · Post by **android2xl** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:13 pm

DallasPlaya wrote:I hear ya android.

I think BM is getting too complicated and too spectatorish (judging from center camp stages with performers to the art under the man looking like a museum instead of an interactive space like it used to be and even the tickets and other paperwork you get at the gate which can't be cheap and becomes more trash to pick up). I say: get back to basics on the 20th anniversary.

I think every year is a crapshoot. I just wish BMOrg was more aware of how they've changed things for the worse.

i could not agree with you more. i'm really not trying to be a jadded bitch, but there was plenty of people that stopped going before i even started for the same reasons, and i think it's just gone too farl

i've always gone with an art car, the first year it was no prob getting it authorized, but each year they got more and more picky about "what is art" or it must be seriously altered... and then i hear last year it was just a NO DICE for most people, meaning they rejected a lot of cars... that's bs if you ask me.

and the weekend worrior ratio seems to be going up every year...

i duno, i think i'll go back. i sure miss sleeping in the dust, and painting my face every night...

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 7:19 pm

android2xl wrote:
DallasPlaya wrote:I hear ya android.

I think BM is getting too complicated and too spectatorish (judging from center camp stages with performers to the art under the man looking like a museum instead of an interactive space like it used to be and even the tickets and other paperwork you get at the gate which can't be cheap and becomes more trash to pick up). I say: get back to basics on the 20th anniversary.

I think every year is a crapshoot. I just wish BMOrg was more aware of how they've changed things for the worse.
i could not agree with you more. i'm really not trying to be a jadded bitch, but there was plenty of people that stopped going before i even started for the same reasons, and i think it's just gone too farl

i've always gone with an art car, the first year it was no prob getting it authorized, but each year they got more and more picky about "what is art" or it must be seriously altered... and then i hear last year it was just a NO DICE for most people, meaning they rejected a lot of cars... that's bs if you ask me.

and the weekend worrior ratio seems to be going up every year...

i duno, i think i'll go back. i sure miss sleeping in the dust, and painting my face every night...

So what can we do? Anyone? Where's the official suggestion box?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 7:54 pm

Why do you want somebody else to fix Burning Man for your benefit?

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:35 pm

Bob wrote:Why do you want somebody else to fix Burning Man for your benefit?

No. I'm asking how it gets fixed.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 2:53 pm

Stay home. If there were 34,980 fewer people, it might be just like the old days.

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 2:07 am

So what can we do? Anyone? Where's the official suggestion box?

There's not an official suggestion box but the ORG should have a town hall meeting coming up like they did last year. That would be a good place to bring up your concerns about art cars, population growth and the like.

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 10:14 am

Bob wrote:Stay home. If there were 34,980 fewer people, it might be just like the old days.

Oh yeah. "Burning man was better last year." Got it. Great attitude.

4caminos · Post by **4caminos** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:48 pm

I first started going to Burning Man in the late '50s.
It was awesome. Larry Harvey was, like, eight years old and we burned a little tiny man and rode our Radio Flyers around.
White-lab-coated scientists from Area 51 came around to do gamma ray testing, but there was no fire-spinning in those days.
I still remember the Kruschev Dome of Atomic Science, now that was a rave!
It was all about participation because, well, there were only 15 of us.
Of course, this was before Al Gore invented the internet so there was no way to tell anybody about how cool it was.
Also, we didn't have emoticons.

4Caminos

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 10:16 am

android2xl wrote:[side note:
please don't sell out and respond by saying 'it is what you make of it', thanx.

It's what you make of it. Pray tell how is that a "sell-out" O Consumer of Raves?

the dark ages?

the dark ages?

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Re: the dark ages?