Increase in new burners with 'entitlement' issues

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Thu May 27, 2010 8:50 am

I can say that The Booby Bar within Terminal city village has its honorary members, 50% of them are from the original Eplaya bar camp, circa 2006.
Then every year we like to pull 1-3 Birgins off the introduce yourself area. We are EXTREMELY selective as we all work our fucking asses off to pull this theme camp off.

Our core group, the every year mates, KNOW what we gotta get done before the party starts.(we start planning for the next year usually in late september post burn)
We have had great birgins and not so great birgins.

We've even had previous year burner friends that we thought were RSR(radically self reliant) ask to come camp with us, do so and not turn out so good.

Its a learning lesson, that can never be mared by a bad experience. You just move on and ask that that person not camp with us next yr. Then go forward.If someone is a real piece of work, we will very nicely, but FIRMLY ask you to move out, hell we'll even help you very nicely pack up and get you to a new location safe and sound.It not about being a asshole its about being a good burner. If your not doing it right, doesnt mean we wont!

I do get the occasional Pm here and have some newb ask if he can come camp with us....and I tell them stay online longer, go into the bar#2 so we can get to know you a little??? Then we will let you know if you will mesh with the family. And when one of our core members wants to bring in peeps, we go over the ground rule, and everyone knows that you are responsible for bringing that person up to speed, if not pass speed, before they even get to NV!

We are a eplaya based camp/village.
We have members that are scattered all over the world. But we're weird, we all talk to each other 365-24/7 !!!

Also our Village is probably one of the most unique.(that Ive tripped into so far.....)

We have 6-8 theme camps within a Village, that each theme camp has their own rules and regs. Their own way of handling membership.Their own frontage.

I believe the villages numbers are around 175?200? hell even I dont know anymore?

But each theme camp is about their own thing, we dont follow suit of each other...funny thing is our themes dont even match...but it works...hahahaaa

So if your a Birgin reading my diatribe, what all us theme camps and villages are trying to tell you is maybe try camping on your own for your first year...or not...just be prepared to pull 2 times your weight in a theme camp or village.....
If you just wanna party, and not be responsible to anyone or anything...dont camp in a theme camp/village.

hahahaaaaa boy is I wordy today!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu May 27, 2010 9:49 am

You are entitled to your opinion.

Titty_Von_HardOn · Post by **Titty_Von_HardOn** » Thu May 27, 2010 12:00 pm

I'm going for the first time! I go with an open mind and expect very little, except for an unique experience...

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Thu May 27, 2010 1:35 pm

Not only will we not cater to your every whim, but we will let you die if you act like a sparkle pony. We are, after all, a death camp.

Post of the Week Doc.

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Thu May 27, 2010 2:33 pm

As a newbie I want to camp in my own tent and experience burning man before i jump into a theme camp. Maybe I'm just weird?

thisisthatwhichis · Post by **thisisthatwhichis** » Thu May 27, 2010 3:35 pm

shroom wrote:As a newbie I want to camp in my own tent and experience burning man before i jump into a theme camp. Maybe I'm just weird?

Nope.... In fact, I highly recommend it...... Just be prepared and come with your essentials....

Post by **Savannah** » Thu May 27, 2010 6:34 pm

I don't think that's weird at all, shroom. If you're reading all the guides and preparing really well, making sure your shade situation is ship-shape and well-staked, and you pay attention to what side of their cars people tent to pitch their tents on (a bit of wind block) you should be fine.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Thu May 27, 2010 11:42 pm

shroom wrote:As a newbie I want to camp in my own tent and experience burning man before i jump into a theme camp. Maybe I'm just weird?

Best way to do it. When you're by yourself the experience is yours, not what a theme camp has established for you. Also, you get the satisfaction of self-reliance.

The first night is basically mind-blowing, so figure out how you're going to navigate back to your shit in the dark.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Thu May 27, 2010 11:46 pm

As a newbie I want to camp in my own tent and experience burning man before i jump into a theme camp. Maybe I'm just weird?

Sounds to me like you are way ahead of the bell curve.

I think you'll be fine.

rangerLEO · Post by **rangerLEO** » Fri May 28, 2010 12:20 pm

it doesn't seem too unreasonable when you consider everything the borg provides everyone. with the massive infrastructure crews they make it so easy to attend the event safely, i'd probably assume theme camps were just as coddling.

plus, the event effectively targets hipsters and yupsters who make up 'generation E (entitlement)'.

MistressSybs · Post by **MistressSybs** » Fri May 28, 2010 12:40 pm

if you ask me, entitlement = expectations.

I think it's the default world bleeding in... haven't you noticed how many people feel entitled to this or that in the default world? Well, sounds quite a bit like what's happening here.

pizzamancer · Post by **pizzamancer** » Fri May 28, 2010 8:32 pm

shroom wrote:As a newbie I want to camp in my own tent and experience burning man before i jump into a theme camp. Maybe I'm just weird?

I flew in from Japan the past 2 years, and borrowed a tent and sleeping bag each time. Lugging a tent and sleeping bag through 4 air ports and customs is a serious pain in the ass. I asked around and both years people in my theme camp came through. Tents and sleeping bags seem to be something that doesn't take much space in a truck, and most burners have multiples of.

Am I relying on hand outs? In a sense, but if nobody had them available, I would just buy them in Reno, and then leave them with a camp member on my way out.

f you are going to Burning Man the <$100 spent on a tent and sleeping bag is the least of your worries.

FaeTora · Post by **FaeTora** » Fri May 28, 2010 8:45 pm

I have never been on the Playa. But my tent will be off to myself with my friends. I don't want to join a theme camp my first time out. I want to volunteer or maybe if I find a group that is fun help them out for what they have given to us non-theme campers. I also know people who say their first time out was great in a theme camp. I just think it depends on who you are and who you know. I could be in a theme camp with the people I know. But I choose to take my first leap on my own two feet.

shroom · Post by **shroom** » Sat May 29, 2010 4:03 am

^^^same here

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sun May 30, 2010 12:49 pm

Yeah, yeah, fancy footwork...

*retreats to corner to cry*

Magpie Sparkles · Post by **Magpie Sparkles** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 12:12 pm

Last year was my first year on the playa and I was in a large bar camp. I think for those going for the first time there's nothing wring with wanting a bit of safety in numbers while you scope out the place and figure out how you might slot in, in future years.

You guys are acting like it's some sort of crime to want to tread cautiously the first time you embark on something so massive as going to Burning Man. You'd also be sneering at first-timers who turn up with basic camping equipment and just enough food to last them a week and they have an awful time because they didn't have any experienced burners round to suggest those little gems that only someone who's been before could suggest. Sure you can read the first timers guide but it's not the same as actually being there and doing it.

Sometimes you just need that point of reference. I think it's responsible, self-reliance!

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 12:24 pm

There's a difference between going with a large theme camp and pitching in and getting perks like shade or showers, and going with a large theme camp you care nothing about just to be comfortable and not have to figure out the logistics. The ones who are getting the attention are the camp "shoppers" who want only the benefits and none of the responsibility. Treading cautiously is fine, wanting everything handed to you for the least amount of cash and sweat is not.

I jumped in, although I did have Hushville as an address. No camp dues, but no camp amenities either.

bm_cricket · Post by **bm_cricket** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:06 pm

AntiM wrote:Someone has to be Head Bitch.

We elected a Camp Asshole last year. He loved it. He would get drunk and scream at people who walked by our camp using a megaphone to pick up their moop. Mostly moop problems. One time he forgot his megaphone but someone had an entire full sized trash can fall off their car (Monday afternoon during strike). He managed to scream loud enough without a megaphone that they heard him!

Every good camp needs a Head Bitch or a Camp Asshole to put idiots in their place.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:41 pm

I am so self-reliant I haven't even introduced myself. Didn't think it was necessary at first, then felt shy, then stupid. So here I am. I am coming to the playa with 4 others, they are young I am old :( We are all from N. Nevada so we are lucky that we don't have to travel far. We are building a hexayurt and have the north pole party shade. Since I am the "mom" I will be making sure that we are all self-reliant. This site has been great for all the useful info and not so useful but funny snark...

Nitevenus · Post by **Nitevenus** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:55 pm

Welcome Lucky... I don't post much but hover the boards and yes, it can be source for a good laugh from the cynical snark. But you'll find some good stuff too. Kind of like a really great flea market, some junk some treasure. My first year was so overprepared that I was giving stuff away including extra gas on board. Oh, and every small camp (and large) needs a "mom". Lucky them to have you.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:33 pm

The cowards never started and the weak ones died on the way.

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 5:10 pm

Some camps are tight and some are loose, organizationally and communally. There are a variety of ways to signal that in selecting campmates and engage them ahead of time to establish the camp culture. But on playa, shit happens and people can become distracted from other's or the camp expectations. When camps establish budgets far in advance, then need a few last minute campers to pay, you take your risks.

bluesbob · Post by **bluesbob** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 7:15 pm

I'm only trying to join a theme camp because I'm worried about my sobriety. I'm a 12-Stepper who will have 15 years by the time I hit the playa. I have to say, even after 15 years, and the last year being the worst of the 15...things like shrooms, acid, and tequila are looking mighty nice. And I've never tried E.

But I also know everything, including my sobriety, is dependent on me. Maybe I will camp alone. I can always walk or bike to Anonymous Village. I don't know. I have no clue what I'm going to do.

I've backpacked the Sierra Nevada twice for the entire summer with a group of people. We laughed, cried, fought, made-up, fought again, laughed some more, cried some more...and in the end had a beautiful time.

I used to go to Dead shows alone long ago in other states. I always came back saying that it was a great show, great drive there and back, but it sucked not having a friend with me. It was no fun alone no matter how friendly the hippies were. I also went on a two week trip around Utah, Nevada, and Arizona last spring after my semester was over. I loved the driving down lonely back country roads, seeing sights and discovering things on my own. But the lonely nights around the campfire sucked.

I've seen both sides of the coin. Been in groups, been alone. Both have there advantages and disadvantages. Burning Man is a major event. I would prefer to do it with friends. But I have to go alone. But being alone...and being lonely are two different reactions...and they are not mutually exclusive. They often go hand in hand. There is a TON of stuff on the BM site that talks about loneliness:

"Surrounded by thousands of people, and yet achingly alone."
"Heresy and Misconduct Camp will strive to be the place to go when you are feeling a little lonely."
"Sometimes I would feel lonely and sad in the crowd"
"Some of the folks in the CafÃ© before dawn are likely to be lonely..."
"...it wasnâ€™t an entirely solitary existence, but it was a lonely one."

Maybe people don't mind the act of camping alone....but they want to avoid the feeling of loneliness that can accompany it. I really don't mind camping alone, but I would really like to belong also. I know where loneliness can take me in my head. Probably running down Reno naked and painted from head to toe. And the sooner I can make arrangements for that NOT to occur the better.

So if your camp needs people give my a buzz. I will camp anywhere. Just make sure you respect my sobriety, and I will respect your partying. Hell, I'll help with that too. I can be the designated driver!! Oh, and make sure you have silk sheets and feather pillows....with a little mint on them every morning.

ozwald8804 · Post by **ozwald8804** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:09 pm

Our philosophy on burningman was to arrive fully able to support ourselves as if no on else showed up. Now that thought is just spooky, the entire playa, all laid out in streets and then just the two of us wandering through al the encampments and art. Headshake.

We booked into Hushville to have a target from 1000 miles a little more focussed than...somewhere.

We enjoy Hushville and our neighbours. We offer what we have excess of, enjoy what neighbours choose to offer. Most of the time we are off wandering. Even though we need to pull out early after the burn, I think we leave little trace.

I cannot imagine someone being so ... can't even think of the word.. unable to provide for themselves that they would need to be supported, or entitled. Even my own kids were fully self sufficient by 18.

StrangeQuark

ibdave · Post by **ibdave** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:58 pm

bluesbob wrote:I'm only trying to join a theme camp because I'm worried about my sobriety. I'm a 12-Stepper who will have 15 years by the time I hit the playa. I have to say, even after 15 years, and the last year being the worst of the 15...

bb, Search out the Hokey pokey camp and see of they are taking newcomers. They rock with a safe 12 step camp.

Also camp anonymous is on the Playa every year.

bigbluedoggy · Post by **bigbluedoggy** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:09 pm

And you just never know who you come across out there that might be clean and sober...

curiousgnate · Post by **curiousgnate** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:20 pm

BB i agree you would be very happy there. i have all the respect in the world and doing bm sober is quite fun. enjoy. you will and while you might have lonely moments you will have a full heart and many new friends afterwards!

bluesbob · Post by **bluesbob** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:21 am

Yes...Anonymous Village, Hokey Pokey Camp...and Camp Stella are the three sober camps I'm aware of.

I can't contact Anonymous Village, their email doesn't work. Camp Stella is a gay-friendly camp. I'm straight, but it could be a lot of fun camping there. My sponsor is gay and he's a great guy. I haven't tried Hokey Pokey. I may send them an email today.

I wrote my last post just to show people that sometimes noobies have very legitimate reasons for seeking a camp. I'm not afraid of doing this alone. I'm just concerned about my sobriety, loneliness, and how the two would interact with each other. Other noobies seeking camps may have good reasons for doing so also.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 5:09 pm

Your reasons are quite valid, and you are not exhibiting self-entitlement with your search. You could wing it solo if you had to, I get that.

Mostly just bumping this in kneejerk reaction to the latest new thread.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:34 pm

AntiM wrote:Your reasons are quite valid, and you are not exhibiting self-entitlement with your search. You could wing it solo if you had to, I get that.

Mostly just bumping this in kneejerk reaction to the latest new thread.

yep, I agree. have a plan, have a plan B, have a backup plan to plan B. Knowing where to go if you feel squirelly is important. Having a support system in place for the sake of your sobriety is a very WISE reason for wanting to join a camp.

o.k. my latest epiphane about Burning Man entitlement is that some people really don't want to camp. They want to go, but they do not want to camp. That whole element of Burning Man scares them. Maybe they want to dance, and look mahvelous, bring their super spiritual artistic ways, but don't want to be sweaty or dirty, set up a tent, cook, wash dishes, shop for food, bring enough water, deal with a windstorm without being able to go "indoors" or bring their own goddamn stuff. I am defensive since I put so much effort into my camp planning, gear, food, etc. Not so much into looking Mahvelous, dancing, or being a super spiritual healer artist. eh.