Why do you like Burning Man/burner events? c:

[MimiRKarr]

Almost everyone says they love burning man and burner events but most don't really say why. Well I wanna know lol. So why do you like/dislike/love burning man?? What really gets you excited for it?? lol C:

[Dr. Pyro]

I always sort of thought the expression, "Even the Elephant Man could get laid at Burning Man" was explanation enough.

[trilobyte]

I've edited the thread title for clarity and moved this to the Philosophical Center, since I think it's a better fit for 'why do you like' discussions.

To answer the question, I'll quote the person who led the camp I was in on my first year....

To those who've never been, no words can explain it
to those who have, no words are necessary

[Dr Helix]

This is too broad a question. You might as well ask me to explain why I like to live. You will find more nuanced topics that might help answer your question if you search through eplaya's archives. Good luck!

[lucky420]

I always sort of thought the expression, "Even the Elephant Man could get laid at Burning Man" was explanation enough.

Waaaaaaaaa


I love it for the people and the weirdness. Weird people

[some seeing eye]

Echoing Trilobyte:

Those who know don't talk
those who talk don't know
seal the opening
close the gate
dull the edge
untie the tangle
soften the light
join the dust
this is called the Dark Union
it can't be embraced
it can't be abandoned
it can't be helped
it can't be harmed
it can't be exalted
it can't be debased
thus does the world exalt it

~400 BC Lao Tzu Chapter 56

[Elderberry]

I'd say the people too. Followed by the creativity. Followed by everything else.

[FIGJAM]

I go for the Scotch!!!

[graidawg]

i don't, it sucks. don't go

[BBadger]

To pass judgement upon all the hippies.

[fernley1]

The people, the art, and just because.

[forty_eight]

Because it happens

[towardsgaia]

First of all, I love the idea behind the often-quoted "Fuck your burn." Everyone burns differently, and that makes it beautiful. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, it is based on 3 regionals and 1 full visit to BRC in 2015. Now beyond that, this is why and how I like to burn:

Primarily, I've always been interested in a certain cognitive mode at large gatherings. How many places/events can you think of where a mass amount of human beings gather where there is no overwhelming sense of in group vs. out group. In other words, having a good time at a sports game is usually about "fuck the other guy" than it is about some inclusive sense of togetherness. I'm interested in events where principles like "radical inclusion" work to dissolve boundaries between people, create the type of atmosphere where people primarily identify from a perspective of "we" rather than "us vs. them." Sure this happens in many places, a Be-In, a rave, etc, but the involved depth and aim at a temporary creative community gives the experience on the playa a very special magic. A great place to breed new perspectives, new feelings.

Next, its the ultimate arena of self discovery. Because of the true individual freedom of expression, I often place myself in situations that push my envelope, that are just beyond many of my normal borders and comfortabilities. I thus fling myself wildly, both physically and mentally down the wide latitude provided for me like a blank canvas on the playa. Somewhere at the center of all this tugging, pushing, pulling, I find myself. I find myself in a way I guess I'm normally not privy too, in that I've now had the chance to dissolve much of my normal social role, cultural imprinting, etc. The greatest part about these personal transformations is that I'm able to bring them back from the playa.

Before I went, a burner friend of mine described the scene like "heaven." Digging into his comment, I asked whether he was just saying it was great. He responded that the open setting is always how he imagined heaven, where you could express your inside on your outside without fear of social recourse. Better than that, you're encouraged and loved. I'm not sure myself about the comparison to heaven, but in my mind it could be damn close.

In short, Black Rock City is a place to interact in nonstandard ways, both with yourself and with the tribe. This setting is conducive to personal, mental, group transformation for various reasons having to do with the inclusive, creative, and loving setting. And of course, its an amazing encouragement to find that wonderful thing (or several things), that the world desperately needs from you, thats locked deep within your creative soul. Find that, and show me on the playa in 2016

(and i love that it ain't all easy, the element of danger, and decommodification)

[misfit]

to burn shit,,, duh... and the sex, drugs, alcohol, friendships, food,,,,. pizza at random pants café served by my favorite scantly dressed waitress, with a glass of moonshine....

[maladroit]

I like it because creativity is rewarded rather than feared.

It's what life could be like if we someday forget how to make war.

[gbus]

First of all, I love the idea behind the often-quoted "Fuck your burn." Everyone burns differently, and that makes it beautiful. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, it is based on 3 regionals and 1 full visit to BRC in 2015. Now beyond that, this is why and how I like to burn:

Primarily, I've always been interested in a certain cognitive mode at large gatherings. How many places/events can you think of where a mass amount of human beings gather where there is no overwhelming sense of in group vs. out group. In other words, having a good time at a sports game is usually about "fuck the other guy" than it is about some inclusive sense of togetherness. I'm interested in events where principles like "radical inclusion" work to dissolve boundaries between people, create the type of atmosphere where people primarily identify from a perspective of "we" rather than "us vs. them." Sure this happens in many places, a Be-In, a rave, etc, but the involved depth and aim at a temporary creative community gives the experience on the playa a very special magic. A great place to breed new perspectives, new feelings.

Next, its the ultimate arena of self discovery. Because of the true individual freedom of expression, I often place myself in situations that push my envelope, that are just beyond many of my normal borders and comfortabilities. I thus fling myself wildly, both physically and mentally down the wide latitude provided for me like a blank canvas on the playa. Somewhere at the center of all this tugging, pushing, pulling, I find myself. I find myself in a way I guess I'm normally not privy too, in that I've now had the chance to dissolve much of my normal social role, cultural imprinting, etc. The greatest part about these personal transformations is that I'm able to bring them back from the playa.

Before I went, a burner friend of mine described the scene like "heaven." Digging into his comment, I asked whether he was just saying it was great. He responded that the open setting is always how he imagined heaven, where you could express your inside on your outside without fear of social recourse. Better than that, you're encouraged and loved. I'm not sure myself about the comparison to heaven, but in my mind it could be damn close.

In short, Black Rock City is a place to interact in nonstandard ways, both with yourself and with the tribe. This setting is conducive to personal, mental, group transformation for various reasons having to do with the inclusive, creative, and loving setting. And of course, its an amazing encouragement to find that wonderful thing (or several things), that the world desperately needs from you, thats locked deep within your creative soul. Find that, and show me on the playa in 2016

(and i love that it ain't all easy, the element of danger, and decommodification)

Great response

[Captain Goddammit]

Go drag racing sometime at your local track... while it's technically competition, it's mostly for fun and I've seen more sportsmanship there, like loaning or giving parts, helping wrench on cars, etc, than I've ever seen elsewhere.

[Ratty]

The people, the random experiences, the 24 hour aspect, the costumes. Hell, I even like getting there and back.

[JayBobBoy]

I love the de-commodification most of all. I can walk freely through a massive city and no one is trying to get over on me. No one wants to separate me from my money. It is a truly freeing experience and allows you to see people for who they really are.

Oh...the sex, booze, art, and dancing ain't bad either.

[gbus]

I love the de-commodification most of all. I can walk freely through a massive city and no one is trying to get over on me. No one wants to separate me from my money. It is a truly freeing experience and allows you to see people for who they really are.

Oh...the sex, booze, art, and dancing ain't bad either.

Not touching your phone or your wallet for a week. Definitely something that has stayed with me. I now make sure i leave my phone behind if i go for a walk or if i know i want to sit and read for a while. There's really nothing that important that i need to instantly know

Also, little things like putting my tap off between soaping my hands and then rinsing them. When you have to care about your water consumption for a week, it makes you think about it for a lifetime

[Ratty]

JaybobBoy are you coming this year.

[JayBobBoy]

Nope...After a move to Boise, Idaho with my family, it looks like another off year for me.

I'll get back home sooner or later! (Thanks for asking, I think about you whenever I come on here!)