Boycott Free Labor at BM

[Isotopia]

Sure wish the OP would answer my question....

[Box Burner]

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 $.

Yay Mojo! you hit that one on the head

[Green Wood]

BOYCOTT FREE LABOR

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.
.

Yeah, but you're not charging for the paper either!

Boycott Free Labor, support Slave Labor

OOops, I gotta go, Master's calling.

[Aiee! It burns!]

Of course, you know that this is all an exercise in masturbation, don't you?

Dang, them personal trainers have an exercise for everything?

I think that it is certainly a provocative topic, regardless of the OP's asserted views.

[capjbadger]

Holy crap on a crutch... I get busy at work for a couple days...

Mojo: Bravo. Very well put. I believe we are saying very similar things. Protest by screwing with their bottom line. They will listen to the almighty voice of the Benjamin.

Iso: I don't see a previous post from you on this thread. Or do you mean the post from "Badger"?

Badger (The elder): Ever volunteered for the event? Well of course I have. Hell, I'm working/camping with the Lamplighter again this year.

Teo del Fuego: Yes, I have built myself an art car as well, but for mostly selfish reasons. And if it causes others to want to build cool stuff too, well then awesome.

Eric: Hi Eric! *hug* Yes, we agree it's kinda nutty to give free labor to a for-profit org. I also agree it's very unlikely to change. This thread was a bit for venting (me) and hopfully to stir up a good coversation. I was getting a little tired of always hearing the "If you don't like it, stay home" posts.
(Yeah, I keep having to remind myself why I work Northern faire too. lol )

Just Watching: I do not pretend to make a stand, and the "horrors of unpopularity"? O noes! Not that!. Please...
Troll elsewhere. Or at least post something a little less dumb.
Yes, telling people to go vandalise someone else's tent is just dumb.

Aiee! It burns!: Provocative? Well thank you.
Though honestly in hindsight, I could also see people viewing my post as a bit "trollish" too.
Whoops.

Badger
(The younger)

[Just Watching]

Troll elsewhere.

def. trolling - anything capjbadger does not want to hear.

[MikeVDS]

def. trolling - anything capjbadger does not want to hear.

I don't think you were intentionally trolling though I do see how it can be seen that way. While agree with your statements as broad generalizations, that's all they are, and they do not fit everyone as you state. You are very cynical and I've seen many cases that disprove each of your statements. So when you come along saying that "everyone" is a certain way, you're going to be wrong about a few.

[Das Bus]

""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. ""

I've already done that.

Sincerely,
Lora AKA - Banned from Dark Skies/Singularity 2007 for making a "stand".

[Finnegan]

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

This is correct, and exactly what I intend to do. The only way to sway a corporation is through negative PR, and decreased income. Their achilles heel.

[Green Wood]

At $400 a pop at the gate, you think someone would drive to downtown Reno and hire some mexicans

[mdmf007]

I was thinking (I have a neutral stance and benign felings on the pavillion at BM 07') about picketing of the pavillion, and the corporations that will have their dust covered suit jockeys on hand and remebered the old saying that - "even bad publicity is good publicity..." or something to that effect.

Realizing that - even bad press is going to get their products heard of. The media will assuredly be on hand as it is every year and picketers marching around a pavillion and strong feelings vocalized by burners in a passionate plea to "free BM from commercialism" will guarantee that the products make the news.

I think IKHO that the best course of action would be to ignore it in its entirety if you wanted to get rid of it. If there is no incentive to corporations demonstrating their wares then they wont do it. It is like vallidating a referendum with a NO vote. You voted no, but still gave it enough votes to validate it and go on.

But I think that wont be possible. if even 90 percent ignored it, there will still be 4000 that do go - thats akin to a smaller trade show, and so it will work out.

What I dont get is who is their target audience? People that go to BM are in general more educated, more earth friendly, and probably already awar of the tech that is going to be there.

So unless people smash all the stuff and say NO!!!!! leaving an "I wasted my time coming to BM to show my exciting new technology bile flavored taste in the mouth of the vendors" I would accept the fact that this may be the first step to commmercializing BM and it would be a phenomenal success as well, netting the BMORG members millions in income. I know of one entity prepared to pay 30 million for BM, to buy out the 6 LLC members. So dont think others arent putting pressure on the LLC to sell, commercialize etc.

I think we are far from - "Kraft Foods Brings you BM 2008!!!!!" I hope so anyways. When the BM org starts arranging headlining acts I am done.

"Burning Man 2008"
Starring:
Gnarles Barkley
Bjork
Hansen
Alabama
Nickleback
Yanni
90 Garage Bands
Twisted Sister
(insert band here)

It would be nice tohave one constant in life, everything is changing, and up until now when you were greeted at the gate with "WELCOME HOME!!!!!"
now the saying "You can never go home comes to mind"

later all

[unjonharley]

\/
The only constant we have is change..

[Ugly Dougly]

I think what Gabby's tryin' to say is that if the machine is making money, then you'd better not work for the machine for free.

[Sensei]

Why, in tarnation!
You kids get offa my lawn!

[Rabbi Dali Rick]

what the hell is "Boycott Free" Labor ?








the rebbi

[Ugly Dougly]

what the hell is "Boycott Free" Labor ?








the rebbi

I don't know, but you just volunteered.

[blyslv]

ITYM don't volunteer for DPW, don't volunteer for the Cafe (tips included!), don't volunteer for gate, rangers, and on and on and on and on (go ahead stop believing).

But do make your own art, do make gifts (if you want to), buy your carbon credits off of ebay, paint your scrotum green, vent your spleen (it's my art, man!) and expend effort for the sheer joy it brings.

When their compromises (or strategy) goes too far for YOU, you'll know it and react accordingly. but will you still make art?

Why does it matter if the OP "volunteered" or not?

[mdmf007]

what the hell is "Boycott Free" Labor ?
the rebbi

In your hiatus Rabbi - a thread on BMorgs business model and labor costs came up -

also - a magazine article has caused quite a stir. Look for the "2.0" link in open

later -