Boycott Free Labor at BM

[capjbadger]

BOYCOTT FREE LABOR

You heard me.

The BM Org wants to be a business? Let them pay like a business. Let see how they do as a real one rather than some neo-roman empire trading in free, volunteer labor.
Oh they'll raise the ticket prices to try to cover the difference, but they won't be able to. Prices will go sky high as they try, and attendence will drop like a rock, furthering the sprial.

The org will be forced to listen or die. They don't listen to words? Let's see if they'll listen to their bottom line.

If the org doesn't do what you feel is right, DON'T GIVE THEM FREE LABOR.

Badger

[unjonharley]

I have never gotten ice or coffee.. Have never been inside center camp.. I'm there for my enjoyment so I do not give free labor.. However I pick moop on average of 4 hours a day.. I do this while seeing the city riding my trike.. I gift 1950s music throughout BRC as I ride..

I make, bring and display my own art.. Which is largely ignorded.. The borg has been(for years) training the masses to only see the funded and placed works.. i never try to do art"cars".. DMV is a large volunteered mess.. both on and off the playa.. And the lunacy of party barges is a whole nother rant.. Theme camps take a bunch of volunteers to plan, setup and place.. Without those volunteers the city would work out just fine.. ONe person getting in early and stakng out three city blocks for there friends is a whole nother rant also.. If you want to hang out with your bubs stay home and get drunk in your back yard..



It is hard to avoid the free slaves .. They are at the gate, greeters and shitters

[Badger]

If the org doesn't do what you feel is right, DON'T GIVE THEM FREE LABOR.

Just out of curiosity I'm wondering if you yourself have ever volunteered for the event?

[FabFascist]

Some people volunteer because it gives them a sense of giving. Others volunteer because they like to hang out. I think the whole point of volunteering is that you do it because you want to.

My advice would be that if you want to volunteer just to go have a good time and feel like you are doing something worthwhile - do it. If you are volunteering and adding a price tag on what your labor is worth, then by all means, don't volunteer.

I understand that if you volunteer for certain things that you can earn a free ticket. I would argue that such terminology breaks down the nature of volunteering.

IMHO, volunteering means to do something WITHOUT the expectation of a return for your efforts.

Volunteer for the sake of giving. That is kind of what it is all about don't ya think?

[Zulegoona]

When you volunteer, even in a borg job don’t you do it for the community as a whole, and don’t you owe it to the community for providing you with the myriad of gifts bestowed onto you from other participants, the bars, seminars, performances, rides on art cars, and the endless array of visual delights .
by not volunteering you deny us and yourself and might as well not go at all , what’s the point if it isn’t about the community or the art.

[FabFascist]

Well said! Bravo!

[unjonharley]

When you volunteer, even in a borg job don’t you do it for the community as a whole, and don’t you owe it to the community for providing you with the myriad of gifts bestowed onto you from other participants, the bars, seminars, performances, rides on art cars, and the endless array of visual delights .
by not volunteering you deny us and yourself and might as well not go at all , what’s the point if it isn’t about the community or the art.

All of the above come with the price of the ticket.. What the hell makes you think I should work my ass off too?? I don't owe you or community squat..

I would'nt want to deny you anything.. Again I payed for my ticket and don't be telling me to not go.. So pay for your ticket jump your ass in there and get to work..

I figure your pretty much a dumb ass.. Doing the work while Larry and Co. laugh all the way to the bank

[Teo del Fuego]

I think the term "free labor" actually could be expanded to include the art cars and theme camps, without which this wouldn't be BM. But if we boycot that kinda free labor, we stay home. Im prepared to wait and see what the Pavillion looks like. (Ive calmed down a bit, now.) If it sucks as hard as the Business 2.0 article, then I probably will fold my tents and go elsewhere with all my crap.

[BigCock]

I figure you're pretty paranoid unjon. And so you must know somebody is making a buck off your ass every time you turn around. If it's any reassurance. based on numerous personal encounters throughout the year, nobody in the org is rolling in money.

Anyway, Zu is anything but a dumb ass.

[Zulegoona]

Unjon you know you give of yourself almost every day here and that helps join us all together, the work you done over the years on the Playa has done a lot, just seeing you on your three-wheeler riding around playing music to counter all the techno gives a lot, your already one of the most dedicated burners I know so hey maybe you don’t owe the community squat because you’ve already paid ahead ,..... and don’t we all have our dumb ass moments....

[unjonharley]

I figure you're pretty paranoid unjon. And so you must know somebody is making a buck off your ass every time you turn around. If it's any reassurance. based on numerous personal encounters throughout the year, nobody in the org is rolling in money.

Anyway, Zu is anything but a dumb ass.

Ya you just try and tell people there's no money there.. Not when I read all year about the upper crust traveling the world.. There would be no lectures without Burning Man and the ticket buyer.. The BM is the advertisment for that chunk of money.. The upper crust are a bunch of crumbs held up by a "lot!" of dough.. I'm not a bit paranoid.. I've lived a long life and know who has there hand in my pocket.. Any one that volunteers thinking there keeps burning alive that way has to be a dumb ass..

[unjonharley]

Unjon you know you give of yourself almost every day here and that helps join us all together, the work you done over the years on the Playa has done a lot, just seeing you on your three-wheeler riding around playing music to counter all the techno gives a lot, your already one of the most dedicated burners I know so hey maybe you don’t owe the community squat because you’ve already paid ahead ,..... and don’t we all have our dumb ass moments....

\/
That is what the whole thing is all about.. I'm against free labor under false pretence.. And the Borg taking ownership the community effort to twist it as they feel..

This tread has drifted from: the community taking back some control of there efforts by not volunteering.. It's well known that if you hit 'em the pocket you get there attention..

[MozyBonz]

Hehehehe.... you guys crack me up.


Perception.
What we perceive to be reality is our realty. And no one can tell us different unless they change our Perception.

And like the real world there are many Perceptions out there.

I say it can be all of the above.

But that’s my Perception.
And no one can tell me different unless they can change my Perception.

[unjonharley]

Hehehehe.... you guys crack me up.


Perception.
What we perceive to be reality is our realty. And no one can tell us different unless they change our Perception.

And like the real world there are many Perceptions out there.

I say it can be all of the above.

But that’s my Perception.
And no one can tell me different unless they can change my Perception.

\/
You been drinking that stale beer again?? Can't understand you or huh?

[Eric]

BOYCOTT FREE LABOR

Um, Badj my friend.... no "free" labor, nothing you're used to will happen out there. As much as I agree with you in the lunacy of volunteering for a "for profit" company, it's not going to change. It's part of the culture (sort of like all the performers at a Renaissance faire working with no or minimal pay to do something they love) Besides, our BLM stipulations require certain things, and if the bodies don't exist to get those things done, no event.

To put it in perspective- Piss Clear is all done with volunteers- I'm not getting paid to copy edit, Adrian's not getting paid to publish, the writers aren't getting paid to write..... if we had had to pay, Piss Clear would never have existed. Something that seems to bring enjoyment (and some frustration) to a large chunk of people wouldn't be there.

That would apply to most camps- people do it for free because they want to, not because they have to.

As always, your mileage may vary.

[gyre]

The last time I went to a renfaire, I had paid to go and the official performers were being paid quite well.

[Fat SAM]

Yeah, but Eric...what is it that we're used to seeing happen? What I've enjoyed about Burning Man most I guess are the people I've met (as well, I guess, as a hell of a lot of free drinks) and actually...that's it. The people. The port-a-potties I could live without if the event were shorter, which would be sad, but you know...eh. Center Camp doesn't hold much for me in the way of a draw. I don't buy coffee there, I rarely watch the performances there, and I have a great time elsewhere.

I'm thinking of direct volunteerism for the LLC. DPW, Greeters, Gate, etc. But, but...who builds the Man? That's a fairly easy thing to put together compared to some of the truly amazing pieces of art I've seen on the Playa.

Let the community volunteer for it's own purposes. Let the corporations pay their own way.

[Bob]

http://afterburn.burningman.com/04/cens ... rtact.html

Somebody's way behind the curve.

[gyre]

I'm guessing the people doing things are less likely to fill out the forms.

[Box Burner]

I wonder what the average percentage of the population is who come and think "that was fun(?) but _______________(disneyland etc,) was better" and never come back again is.











Editerd for fat fingers.

[Ugly Dougly]

Are you boycotting giving free labor or are you also boycotting getting the fruits of free labor? I think there wouldn't be an event without selfless giving. Maybe you belong at the Garlic Festival.

[MozyBonz]

Hehehehe.... you guys crack me up.


Perception.
What we perceive to be reality is our realty. And no one can tell us different unless they change our Perception.

And like the real world there are many Perceptions out there.

I say it can be all of the above.

But that’s my Perception.
And no one can tell me different unless they can change my Perception.

\/
You been drinking that stale beer again?? Can't understand you or huh?

I see you got my point.
The perception on this board is that I drink and smoke and chase Women.
Because that is what I put out there.

The fact is that I don't drink. Have not had a drink in months.
And I smoke on a rare occasions.

Ok I do love women you got me there.

But people have that perception because that is what I put out there.

That is the perception I created of me on this board.

You believe that people that work free are a dumb ass. That’s your perception (reality).

It’s not any less of a reality that some ones perception (reality)that their work is doing something for the good.

Our perception(reality) of the world is shaped by our experiences and exposure to other people’s perceptions.

When it conflicts with our own perception of the world they are a dumb ass.

Hope this helps.

Unjonharley And I happen to agree with most of your perceptions (Reality) of the world.

The ability to look though some one else's eyes can be quite perception (reality) shattering.

Not every one can do it.

[Somnivore]

Guess I unknowlingly took advantage of this. Volunteered for medical crew for the sole purpose of meeting people at my first BM. Figured I could give a small amount of my week to the community and in return make my solo trip a little less intimidating. Didn't know when I volunteered that I would get a ticket for the event. Guess I got my first gift before I ever got to the Playa...

[MozyBonz]

Volunteered for medical crew

thanks for your gift....

[Somnivore]

You're welcome Mozy. BTW, I also love to chase women (and occasionally smoke and drink )

[Dustdevil]

My first year was 1996. I missed 98 but have made every year since. In 02' I decided it was time to give something back for all the enjoyment I received in those years. I built a large fire art project (without Org funding) and they allowed me to bring it in 03'. They considered it dangerous and untested technology so I was placed out by the trash fence. The device worked perfectly and I was asked to join the Performance Safety Team and help inspect dangerous fire art. I agreed and have been a part of the PST ever since. I volunteer because working with the various artist and PST staff is fun and rewarding. The fact that the Org is benefitting from my labor is of no concern to me. I do it for me. If the time ever arrives when I am no longer having fun, I will move on to something else. The fact that my ticket is comped is really not important. The hours I put in before the event would pay for many tickets if I were to just work those hours at my job. After the first year of volunteering I received a nice thank you note from the staff of the Org. That meant more to me that the ticket did. It was a reminder that my efforts were appreciated. I can honestly say the I respect everyone I work with and seeing how the Org functions from the inside has given me a unique perspective. I have taken many of the things I observe from how the staff operates and applied them to my staff. In four years of volunteering I feel that I have gotten the better end of the bargain.

[Just Watching]

BOYCOTT FREE LABOR

You heard me.

The BM Org wants to be a business? Let them pay like a business. Let see how they do as a real one rather than some neo-roman empire trading in free, volunteer labor.

Of course, you know that this is all an exercise in masturbation, don't you? I mean, the LLC could basically start a used car dealership on every corner in BRC and by the time the week was out, we'd see 90% of the burners writing essays on why used car dealerships were ironic statements of postmodern countercultural whateverness, and the next bold step forward. In the end, you're going to go along with anything the org does and so is everybody else, so why not just lie back, reach for your lubricant of choice, and hope to God Larry agrees to use it before he decides to pleasure you, because if Maid Marian is to be believed, the boy is hung like a water buffalo and the next few minutes might hurt. Not that I'm criticising the man, because if others choose to strap themselves in, I don't see why he shouldn't pump out the love.

Some of you say you want to set up independent events. Seriously? You wouldn't be the first, but what has happened every time somebody else had been serious enough about doing his own thing to follow through? Rumors have been spread and accepted by a willfully credulous crowd, and in the end, nobody has shown up. I see a lot of brave talk, but as simple a thing as dropping by a coffeehouse or even another BBS is bolder action than practically any burner rebel is willing to consider, so again, it's all BS. You will go only where you are told to go, listen only to who you're told to listen to, and when proof is out for all to see that you're being told less than the whole truth, you won't look at the man behind the curtain. But that's what people want, to be told what to do and see and hear, and so that's cool. Far be it from me to judge.

Just don't ask me to keep a straight face when some of you pretend to take a stand. You'd have to have the guts to risk the horrors of unpopularity, and that is one thing that none of you will ever do. So, which of you would like to volunteer to be the first to straypaint the Starbucks logo on the side of his tent? After all, somebody needs to reach out and engage that part of corporate America as well in the name of noncommercial community building, right?

[gyre]

What hogwash.
There are already events like burning man out there that predate the burn.
And if burning man really becomes unacceptable, once the word flashes across the world, it would fold up like a house of cards.
I still plan on going out as early as I can and working.
If I don't like the changes, I always have other things to do.

[thisisthatwhichis]

Hehehehe.... you guys crack me up.
Not every one can do it.

.. I love it when you get philosophical.............. .....Whoot!

[mojo]

I don't think volunteerism is accomplished to benefit "the community" as often as it is done to benefit the volunteer. I am a selfish volunteer and do it because I like what I'm doing.

But if anyone really wants to make a statement about the whole pavillion thing, try this:

1) Tell the company reps at the booths in the pavillion that you intend to boycott their products because they are participating in corrupting a commerce-free environment.

2) Write to the companies that are represented in the pavillion and tell them the same thing.

3) BOYCOTT THOSE PRODUCTS. Get everyone you know to do the same. Put up signs, picket the pavillion.

The most powerful voice we have is how we spend our cash - vote with your $.