WHY I’M NOT GOING BACK TO BURNING MAN

[bigdave]

Stirrin up all this playa dust. I know! you'll be back.

Maybe. You see how resolute I am?

[bigdave]

Bigdave,

What motivated you to come to Burning Man in the first place?Was this your first burn? Just curious.

Second.

1st time, it was curiosity and the prospect of having 75 virgins all to myself at Harem Camp.

2nd time, it was to build a theme camp.

[Rich]

I'm not against the "leave no trace" idea completely. It is the metaphysical grounds of "leave no trace" and the hypocrisy of the militant enviros that irk me.[/color]

Hypocrisy annoys me as well. And I don't buy into the metaphysical side of leave no trace, but...like everything else at BM, you create your experience.

I wandered the playa in awe of what had been created. And I simply ignored the things that seemed silly.

I met a fellow who spent most of the event out by the far fences 'watching' the authorities patrol the perimeter. I suppose he got something from the experience, after all, borders and frontiers are endlessly fascinating, but it seemed like a bad reality for me to be involved with.

So I spent my time away from 'authority,' and as a result I had no interactions with any one in control or power once I passed the greeters.

[sugarlarry]

BD,

How did the theme camp go? What was it?

As for the astrology comment. Yeah... doesn't really hold water for me either, but how is this different from any other religion? All rely upon faith, and so none hold anymore validity then any others.

I don't really get a sense of BM being all that hypocritical when it comes to it's environmental stance. I'm sure everyone there would love to use fuel cells if they existed, or solar if it actually supplied sufficient power, but really it's about reducing impact, and recycling materials if at all possible. Again... nobody is perfect, but can you blame them for trying?

[Mayfield]

Burning Man isn't a leave no trace event, it's a leave a trace somewhere else event.

[bigdave]

[quote="sugarlarry"]BD,

How did the theme camp go? What was it?

Not well. A-HA! That's why I'm so bitter.

As for the astrology comment. Yeah... doesn't really hold water for me either, but how is this different from any other religion? All rely upon faith, and so none hold anymore validity then any others.

Astrologers make extraordinary claims. When those claims are tested, they fail. There's been enough research done to say with confidence that astrology is generally bogus.
http://www.skepdic.com/astrolgy.html

Various religions make various claims. Most rely on faith, yes. But most make testable claims. Such as stigmata in Catholicism:
http://www.skepdic.com/stigmata.html

Or "engrams" in Scientology:
http://www.skepdic.com/dianetic.html

And so I think Astrology and the various religions are only comparable on the surface. And different religions could have differing levels of validity.
But then, I'm a soft atheist, so you can taste the bias, ay?
p.s. I love Vancouver, I must get back there!

[bigdave]

Burning Man isn't a leave no trace event, it's a leave a trace somewhere else event.

YOU GERLACHIANS!
I've always said you should all walk the plank!

BAH!

But you are correct.

[s5]

Astrologers make extraordinary claims. When those claims are tested, they fail. There's been enough research done to say with confidence that astrology is generally bogus.
http://www.skepdic.com/astrolgy.html
[/color]

not strictly true. for example, biodynamic farming has shown through various studies that crop yields fluctuate according to the movement of planets through the zodiac.

[mo_corleone]

There’s no commerce at BM, because everyone BUYS everything from corporations ON THE WAY UP!

i think this is a great point. while i personally love the idea of not carrying money for a full week, i never purge myself of as much disposable income as i do in preparation for burning man. i'm not sure this financial bulemia really teaches many people to reject the commodification of culture, but i do think it's a valuable start.

the anti-consumerism message at burning man, much like many of the other concepts you mentioned, are not packaged neatly into perfectly sensible bite-sized morsels for the masses. it's all a work in progress. the 'no commerce' ideal is shattered in my mind by hypocritical establishments like the center camp cafe, but for others it may be the first time they haven't had to study their checkbooks every day. the enforcement of grey water rules might not make perfect sense to some. "no peeing on the playa" might seem a bit draconian to others. to me, the point is less about some eco-friendly dictatorship than it is about making people aware of their often destructive and disrespectful habits. it's about helping people acknowledge the impact that they have on their surroundings.

i brought someone with me to the playa this year that used to throw gum wrappers out of her car window. after a day at burning man, she was randomly picking up MOOP everywhere we went. it's the small shifts in consciousness like this that make me think these rules are worthwhile.

people don't always realize the more far-reaching consequences of their actions. things like packing out your trash or being responsible for your own grey water help some people stop and think, "holy shit, i generate a lot of waste!" if these rules help open some eyes, then i tend to support them. maybe your comments will help some of the holier-than-thou crowd open their eyes to damaging habits that they have.

either way, nice post

[Borris]

Second.

1st time, it was curiosity and the prospect of having 75 virgins all to myself at Harem Camp.

Did u find them virgins? 'cause everyone promissed them to me but I never found them.

(Mental note to self: stop smoking dope with old men on mountains)

(Kill Bush, Kill Bush, Kill Bush, Kill Bush, Kill Bush)

[Ivy]

Did u find them virgins? 'cause everyone promissed them to me but I never found them.

What is up with the desire for virgins? I would think more experienced women would be desirable.

Shit, no wonder I don't get laid.



This public service announcement brought to you by Ivy.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[PJ]

Did u find them virgins? 'cause everyone promissed them to me but I never found them.

Um, Borris, you're in the right neighborhood but on the wrong side of the fence: it's the Muslims, not the Jews, that are issued a quantity of virgins after martyrdom.

I'll have to check my notes, but if memory serves Jews go to Miami Beach after they die.

[PJ]

What is up with the desire for virgins? I would think more experienced women would be desirable.

You're exactly right: only the unconfident prefer virgins. Experience is a good thing. (But enthusiasm remains the most important thing.)

BTW, after things slow down, remind me to consult you on the rules for the "Earn Your Own Brand-New Hitachi Magic Wand" contest.

[Rob the Wop]

What is up with the desire for virgins? I would think more experienced women would be desirable.

You're exactly right: only the unconfident prefer virgins. Experience is a good thing. (But enthusiasm remains the most important thing.)

BTW, after things slow down, remind me to consult you on the rules for the "Earn Your Own Brand-New Hitachi Magic Wand" contest.

Amen brother. The idea that I could cause pain to the girlie I was smitten by, messed with my adolescent brain. 'Luckily, it DOES get better.

Now I have a desire for women that can lick their back with their tongues.

[PJ]

...Now I have a desire for women that can lick their back with their tongues.

This explains the over-heard statement, "I'd bend over backwards to avoid licking HIS back."

[PJ]

...biodynamic farming has shown through various studies that crop yields fluctuate according to the movement of planets through the zodiac.

Cites?

[portazo]

not strictly true. for example, biodynamic farming has shown through various studies that crop yields fluctuate according to the movement of planets through the zodiac.

I've heard something similar, although it was more tidal/astronomical rather that astrological...

[s5]

Cites?

the study i read was published in a demeter association journal, printed on dead tree paper. if you were interested in that field of study, you could start there, but unfortunately, i don't have a url to back it up.

[portazo]

"How to Grow More Vegetables..." by John Jeavons

p65 Planting by the Phases of the Moon
Talks about planting seeds and transplanting seedlings "taking advantage of the full sum of the forces of nature, including gravity, light, and magnetism."

I love this thread, it's loooopy.

[portazo]

"If the mother's womb can keep out astrological influences until birth, can we do the same with a cubicle of steak? "
Astrology Defense Kit
http://www.astrosociety.org/education/a ... ml#defense

[dj big E]

well with all that being said .lets remember this is not a fucking rainbow gathering lets get on with the burning.and please keep you're little whiny ass home you probly prefer me to be quiet when they burn the temple as well .lmao dj big "E"

[s5]

"If the mother's womb can keep out astrological influences until birth, can we do the same with a cubicle of steak? "
Astrology Defense Kit
http://www.astrosociety.org/education/a ... ml#defense

interestingly, those 10 questions are just strawman arguments that any serious astrologer could answer quite easily. in fact, i have yet to hear any serious, skeptical response to astrology that doesn't rely on handwaving or strawman arguments.

as for their one listed study, there are three possible conclusions: (1) that the theory is, indeed, bogus (the only conclusion that the article is willing to consider), (2) that the experiment wasn't designed correctly, or (3) that the data collected was incomplete or invalid. unfortunately, it's difficult to prove a negative assertion ("assertion A is false"), especially if that assertion is based on subjective data. considering how few psychologists ever agree on anything, it's not surprising that astrology fares about as poorly when held under objective scrutiny.

although hardly a scientific study, the Suncorp Metway insurance company found that different signs were more likely than others to get into car accidents. capricorns were the best drivers and geminis were the worst. they promised not to base their rates on astrology, though, and said the study was just for fun. lucky for the geminis.

[Kinetic]

Thousands of arguments, thousands of points. While everyone else fights it out, I'm going to finish unpacking my stuff and start work on my art car and other projects for next year, and maybe find a way to fly out to Decompression.

Instead of all those gripes on the very first post, I'd sure like to see the same level of energy put into finding solutions. Anyone can bitch...I do it well but to bitch and propose a fix for the problem....now that's hard to do.

[Das Bus]

Now I have a desire for women that can lick their back with their tongues.

I can't lick my back, but I CAN lick my boobs!

[Zane5100]

Now I have a desire for women that can lick their back with their tongues.

I can't lick my back, but I CAN lick my boobs!

Truly, a woman of experience and talent...

Thanks for the package checks.

[Zane5100]

Instead of all those gripes on the very first post, I'd sure like to see the same level of energy put into finding solutions. Anyone can bitch...I do it well but to bitch and propose a fix for the problem....now that's hard to do.

How about these for some solutions:

Put something under your car to catch its leaks.

Pick up your trash and dispose of it somewhere that has trash service.

Don't stay on the playa longer than necessary.

Bribe the DPW with booze and cigars.

[bigdave]

well with all that being said .lets remember this is not a fucking rainbow gathering lets get on with the burning.and please keep you're little whiny ass home you probly prefer me to be quiet when they burn the temple as well .lmao dj big "E"

Yes. DJ big E is a master of sound arguments and grammar.

[zeno]

(quoting a VEGAN:)
“Shrimp feel pain, you know. ”

So do alfalfa sprouts.


Hold your breath, human scum.

You're breathing OUR oxygen.

[Jane Eric]

Pardon my drift.....but.....

http://www.dionysia.org/astrology/sun-p ... rison.html


If only we'd been better at calendars. What sign you think you are is off by one. Go figure.

[boarhead]

Big Dave,

Right on man! I'm not going back to BM for different reasons but yea, I agree with everything you posted on your original post (and no, I haven't read the 4,000 replys you got and don't plan on it).

Boarhead