What does this mean?

nebulachic · Post by **nebulachic** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:26 am

Under Things Not To Bring:

**NEW** For safety reasons please do not bring bikes, chairs and large coolers to the [b]larger burns[/b].

Sceloporus · Post by **Sceloporus** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:52 am

for your safety!

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:03 am

I can't tell you how many times I've tripped over or carved a shin on somebody's bike that had been carelessly laid down in the dark, especially around a big burn. Likewise chairs, coolers, screwing couples...

It's more socially responsible to corral your bikes together some distance back from the burn, standing up where they'll be seen. And God Forbid you should have to WALK in Black Rock City! Is there ANY burn activity that would require you to walk more than about a half mile? Besides, finding your bike afterward can be a real hassle...unless you lock it to a chair, cooler or screwing couple.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:31 am

Every year I watch people set up chairs on the perimeter for the man burn; every year I watch the rangers make them take the chairs away.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:35 am

I had to help rangers drag bikes away from the edge of the temple burn.
When they are locked together, they get dragged together.
Even I knew not to take a bike out to the man burn my first year.

I don't recommend getting closer than a mile to the man or temple burn.
I went early for both my first year.
Then morons show up with picnic baskets and insist that you sit in the dirt, forcing everyone behind you to move back, bunch of assholes.
I don't go to either burn now.

Only a total fool sits on the ground in front of a large crowd.
It will end with people trampled.

Park your bike way back from anything crowded.
Even with reflective tape, it can be hard to find your bike again.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:35 am

Because they aren't flammable.

EB · Post by EB » Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:44 am

nebulachic wrote:Under Things Not To Bring:

**NEW** For safety reasons please do not bring bikes, chairs and large coolers to the larger burns.

I saw this in the Survival Guide, too, and worried it might confuse those Who Have Not Been Before...

In short, there are "burns" within The Burn. While Burning Man (the event) is often referred to as "the burn" ("Have a good burn, dude") often there are gatherings within the event which would be "larger burns."

An example of these "larger burns" are 1.) When the Man burns Saturday night and 2.) when the Temple burns Sunday night. These are times when a vast majority of the camp shows up to witness the fun. Most of the time, there's so much to do/see on the playa, there's rarely a problem of people bringing bikes/art cars/coolers, etc. to the perimeter to check it out.

This is not the case with the "larger burns."

The crowd gets so thick that bikes/coolers/art cars become a static nuisance and a danger (I've seen many people get pushed over on to a bike laying on its side.) Basically, think of the larger burns as a "Pedestrian Only" zone and leave anything that can tripped over/climbed on back at your camp (locked up.)

Again, this happens only with the big art installations where most of the camp will be in attendance: (The Man, the Temple, last year's Crude Awakening, '06's Uchronia, etc.) And you'll likely know it when you see it.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:00 am

The Waffle wasn't much of an issue because it got so hot it simply immolated anything left too close.
We had to keep moving vehicles back from the perimeter of Crude Awakening.
Some people are idiots.
Many art cars got up too close and blocked pathways and people's view.

EB · Post by EB » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:13 am

The Big Production Number aspect to the Man burning has fast become my least favorite part of the event.

Nothing against firespinning (some of my best friends do it...) but PISS CLEAR said it best when they equated them to BRC's version of a high school cheer squad.

For those who haven't attended a burn, in the past the entire camp used to gather around the Man around twilight on Saturday and then suddenly he'd just catch fire and that was that. Now, there's an hour long production of fire spinners before they light him which, after about five minutes, is the most boring fucking thing on the planet.

It's like going to the lake for a fireworks show, only to be forced to watch a re-creation of the signing of the Declaration of Independence first. For an HOUR!

Not to mention the "Down in Front!" bullshit that goes with it.

ziptie · Post by **ziptie** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:16 am

This is why I watch the burn from something tall & far away.

Also, I find the prospect of riding bikes on burn night terrifying in general--art cars everywhere, no landmarks, everything on fire, & everyone all fucked up on something . . . I prefer hoofing it, but that's just me.

However:

gyre wrote: I don't recommend getting closer than a mile to the man or temple burn.

I kinda think that virgins should at least try, if only so they can bitch about it later. It's the Burning Man Way.

ziptie · Post by **ziptie** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:17 am

EB wrote:Not to mention the "Down in Front!" bullshit that goes with it.

My favorite part is the laser pointers. Why, people, WHY?

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:51 am

AntiM wrote:Every year I watch people set up chairs on the perimeter for the man burn; every year I watch the rangers make them take the chairs away.

I've seen them set up and stay; I haven't seen anyone make them take the chairs and go away. Just a lot of angry "Down in front" shouts with people saying "If we sit we can't see over the CHAIRS!"

It's Burning Man, so everyone gets to do what they want. If you want to sit in the first row, get there early and find a spot upwind of the Man. Enjoy the whole show. If you want to get angry and yell at the jerk-offs sitting in chairs, go for it. Or just find another place and let some other angry person yell at the jerk-offs in chairs. Whatever floats your boat.

If you haven't been to a burn, I recommend the early bird routine and sitting as close as you can just to feel what it's like having burning kerosene misted over you from the fire spinners and fire spitters. It's a real treat (seriously). Feel the heat. You'll be reasonably safe no matter how close. The crowd at Burning Man is remarkably polite, and I stay seated after they let the crowd in to dance in the fire. People bump me, say "Oh, sorry" and go on their merry way. I have no safety concerns of being trampled. Other people do, and they're free to stay back.

Lately, though, Louise and I have been watching from afar. We've seen all the fire spinners going on forever, and we've decided to watch from our chairs way the heck off in the distance. There's almost always a platform somewhere on the playa to set up on, a few people join you, and you can have a pleasant conversation while you're waiting.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:56 am

We do fuel masters for the Utah sinners. That's white gas (camp stove fuel) not kerosene for the most part. Fun is running toward the seated crowd with a cart of fuel as the pyrotechnics go off over your head. Love it, love it, love it. And I always have an unobstructed view .. except for those darn drummers!

I've never been trampled, although the thought scares me.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:38 pm

By the time you know a crowd is out of control, it's too late to save some people.

I was lifted off my feet at times near the man burn.
When you're in trouble, just try to scream when you can't catch your breath.

I have been in quiet crowds where it happened.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:43 pm

Seems like every year, I get stuck by the group that insists on standing up front. Was told they were press. Can't we put them in a cherry picker or something?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:23 pm

TomServo wrote:Seems like every year, I get stuck by the group that insists on standing up front. Was told they were press. Can't we put them in a cherry picker or something?

something against the press?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:30 pm

Please don't

PRESS

on the windshield because it leaves marks.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:59 pm

Every year my fascination with the "DOWN IN FRONT" phenomenom grows. Each side think they are so right, people get violent it's like a gigantic opera, but in Real Life, a living allegory of human strife. art imitating life, life imitating art and all that.
But ya, leave the bikes at camp.

notonmysofa · Post by **notonmysofa** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:13 pm

People show up to the burn on their bikes and park them at the back of the crowd away from everyone and wander off to wait and watch the burn. But more people are going to show up and pretty soon the bike someone thought they left behind the crowd is in the crowd and in the way.

I can do without the 6 hours of fire spinning. My first several years I would go out early and watch from the first few rows which was great at the time, now I like to avoid the crowd and the wait and watch from afar.

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:43 pm

What is a crowd of people? It is a crowd of animals, and the more people there are the more animal-like they become.
Am I wrong?

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:26 pm

notonmysofa wrote:.....I can do without the 6 hours of fire spinning. My first several years I would go out early and watch from the first few rows which was great at the time, now I like to avoid the crowd and the wait and watch from afar.

I thought that one year, but now see it as the pre-game show. The spinners practice all year, and during the event. Thats their gift to BM, and I have grown to like it.

It seems long sometimes, but its like foreplay - it makes the end that much better.

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:55 pm

Iâ€™ve gone way early every year and sat in the first 3 rows. My legs cramping and going to sleep , very painful when there isnâ€™t room to stretch out. But it has seemed worth it to me. I would get real pissed if I had been there for an hour being one with the dust and have Bunny and Biff show up with the simply fabulous dance out fits and decided to stand in front of me because the ground is so dirty.

If you must stand ,stand in the back, disrespect , as well as respect can go both ways , and after sitting there for so long a person can have a lot of pee in their bladder.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:21 pm

You would be the exception showing up early.
I still don't know why anyone would want to sit in the dirt.

Perhaps I would have enjoyed the burn?
Now they only remind me of the self righteous pricks showing up late and ordering everyone who came early to sit down or get the hell out of the way.
I know why not one single one of my campmates wanted to go to the burn.
I definitely think no one should be allowed to sit in front of the crowd.

I think it's the number one risk to ending the event.
The org is worried about all kinds of liability, while people are allowed to sit in front of a large crowd like that...?
If people want to knowingly get trampled, I have no objection, but someone will bring children and idiots and the deaths may shut down the event.
Try to insure a general admission concert after cincinnati.

And it's disrespectful to sit at the temple burn.
Even if I could do it without excruciating pain, I wouldn't.

To all the 'Down in Front' folks who show up late, you can all go fuck yourselves.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:30 pm

Know your role and shut your mouth!

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:58 pm

Bob wrote:Know your role and shut your mouth!

Ouch - I got your back Gyre, lets do this

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:05 pm

It'd be nice if everyone was just respectful of others. Sit? Stand? Who cares? Just do your best to not interfere with others. I'm blessed with height and I'm used to having to stand back, or get down at just about anything. Concerts, movies, weddings, meetings, etc. It's not that hard to have minimal impact on others. If your so selfish that you blatantly disregard the fact that others want to enjoy the same thing, you deserve getting yelled at.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:20 pm

Exactly my point.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:25 am

gyre wrote:
TomServo wrote:Seems like every year, I get stuck by the group that insists on standing up front. Was told they were press. Can't we put them in a cherry picker or something?
something against the press?

Nothing against the press..but do they have to stand up front? screw giving them the cherry picker..I want one!

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:55 am

IF YOU ARE IN THE FIRST OHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh LETS SAY 8 ROWS........ thAT MEAns if you can count 8 groups of people in front of YOU

SIT THE FUCK DOWN .............

and if you bring your fucking bikes and then stand within those rows...... I'm gonna shove them up YOUr ASSSSSSS........... side waysss

OKAY THEN...... just sooooo we are CLEAR..........

oohhh it's almost 12am in Hawaii and I've been OUT......
and i'd like to make a good excuse for my thoughts- BUT I can't come up with one LOL
and reallllllll yyyy allfucked up at the Burn thats How I reallllly feel about the fucking group of STUPID people with there Bikes in the 2nd ROW

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:30 am

Barbie wrote:IF YOU ARE IN THE FIRST OHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh LETS SAY 8 ROWS........ thAT MEAns if you can count 8 groups of people in front of YOU

SIT THE FUCK DOWN .............

and if you bring your fucking bikes and then stand within those rows...... I'm gonna shove them up YOUr ASSSSSSS........... side waysss

OKAY THEN...... just sooooo we are CLEAR..........

oohhh it's almost 12am in Hawaii and I've been OUT......
and i'd like to make a good excuse for my thoughts- BUT I can't come up with one LOL
and reallllllll yyyy allfucked up at the Burn thats How I reallllly feel about the fucking group of STUPID people with there Bikes in the 2nd ROW
:twisted:

ditto..

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

banned?

Re: What does this mean?

For the windshield