New Burningman Ticket Process - 2012

[xorian]

Thanks Savannah I'll keep plaining for the best. Hope I get to meet everybody there in that beautiful place this year.

[lisagoettel]

I wonder if the BM crew has considered the full potential ramifications of the time delays between gathering credit cards and charging them. Credit cards that act from bank accounts may not have enough funds in them at all times, and cards expire, are lost, stolen or change... I think this proposed process, as it's been presented so far, will prove to be a much larger headache from the business end for the BM crew than the first-come first-serve route.

[trilobyte]

I suspect they have, Lisa, but the concern is definitely on the radar now.

[Simon of the Playa]

i've heard they have also decided lisa, not to hold any more really important decision making meetings while high on DMT.

a little late for this year, but next year, ABSOLUTELY NO DMT until after the meetings are finished.

me personally, i'd like to see Larry & Co. get back to their roots, and just stick with the whiskey, coke, whores and cigarettes.
ya know, if it ain't fixed, dont break it...

i'm kinda old school that way.

just my two bits, which is more than two cents, but less than a dollar.

[essjay]

I'm already inside the gate for 2 weeks building so you have something to go to. Hmm...

-Badger

Didn't you still need a ticket to get in, though? I'm not sure about two weeks out, but I had an early entry pass this year for 4 days early and I was still required to show a ticket to get in.

I'd like to think that this will all work out, but I just don't see how they are going to do a lottery without severely affecting the mid- to larger-sized camps that make TTITD that thing that it is.

[Raymaker]

A recent British TV programme by Derren Brown (he achieves his results using a combination of "magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship". Using his knowledge and skill, he appears to be able to predict and influence people's thoughts with subtle suggestion, manipulate the decision-making process and read the subtle physical and psychological signs or body language that indicate what a person is thinking.) explodes the myth of luck. Links are a short article on luck and a YouTube of the actual show, which is blocked to the UK, so I am hoping it's available to US viewers.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derr ... et-of-luck

[remi]

Damage control?

[remi]

I just tried browsing a few threads (and there are quite a few about this lotto,) and I can't find information on when the FAQ & other information about the lotto will be released? If I'm subscribed to the newsletter, is that the first place it will be announced, or should I keep my eye on a certain thread? What about the theme? Should I keep my eye out in a certain thread for that too, or will that also be released in a newsletter first?

Cheers,

R

[A Jester]

And who, I might ask, made this decision? Was it BORG (the owners) or was it the Non-profit staff. I would sure like to know. I am wondering how this whole non-profit thingy is going to work out.

We knew the owners and even met some on the playa, but does anybody know who will be (is) running the non-profit? Names? Have you met them? As a supposed "community" it would be nice to be able to know our leaders, even if we don't get to pick them.

Yeah, who the heck are these people? Any why are they hiding in the depths of the internets? And why didn't they personally introduce themselves to me instead of having some oddly named website that isn't even the first result in google? WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO HIDE? WHY WON'T THEY SHOW ME THEIR FACES!?!?!


Oh..

http://www.burningmanproject.org/


I've heard that the non-profit hasn't taken over yet, so the L.L.C. is still running things, but I don't really know what I'm talking about.

[A Jester]

I just wanted to point out that I was misquoted:

A Jester wrote:

Bottom line, you either trust that the people who bring us Burning Man spent some time thinking this through and have a good and fair solution where we all get our tickets if we are prepared, or you don't. Seems like most of the "don't" crowd assume that the lottery will totally suck, encourage scalpers, and ruin theme camps. Heck, maybe the "don't" crowd shouldn't go! That way there will definitely be plenty of tickets left over for the rest of us.
(yeah yeah, just kidding about the "then don't go" stuff. I get it, you care and are trying to "save" something you care about. The problem is you don't know what you're saving if from, or if it needs saving.)

I didn't write that. But yes, I do care. And the Org could speak up and answer all the unknowns but instead continues to remain quiet and let us all wallow in fear.

Yeah, that was my bad. Something went poop in my formatting, or maybe it was the cat running across the keyboard. I accept full responsibility and none of the blame.

[fthrdwlf]

How are we supposed to plan our City in the wake of a lottery????

[junglesmacks]

How are we supposed to plan our City in the wake of a lottery????

The same way you planned it last year and the year before that and the year before that and the yearS before that. You will get a ticket if you prepare and act early.

[remi]

How are we supposed to plan our City in the wake of a lottery????

The same way you planned it last year and the year before that and the year before that and the yearS before that. You will get a ticket if you prepare and act early.

Guarentee that?

[not larry harvy]

All the people who procrastinated and SCREWED THEMSELVES out of a ticket complained so much that people who spend THOUSANDS of dollars and HUNDREDS of hours preparing ahead of time, now have to wait with the procrastinators to see if they can get a ticket.

This is not raising the bar, it has been thrown down into a bottomless port-a-pottie.

What kind of person would pay $300 to be at an aggressive, objectifying women, boring FRAT party in that hostile environment.
Is that the kind of people you all want at YOUR event?

Yet the very people who spend the most time creating the environment that people actually pay to be in, are now relegated to HOPING TO PARTICIPATE so a procrastinator can be GUARANTEED A SPECTATOR SEAT.

Call me a whiner, just shows you are probably a SPECTATOR who has never had to plan a large scale, long term, build.
Say I am panicking, just shows you don't know what panic is.

Catch phrases don't nearly embrace all the problems this "incomplete plan" will cause if implemented.

It would be wonderful if every artist (theme camp, art car, sculpture, etc...) skipped the Burn and went to Fourth of Juplaya with us.
Let the procrastinators, aggressive drunks, perverts, and thieves spend 2 weeks together and enjoy each others company.

Any groups that get an art grant but don't win the lottery, please contact us through this post and we will assist you in bringing the piece to the Fourth of Juplya

[Rice]

I just tried browsing a few threads (and there are quite a few about this lotto,) and I can't find information on when the FAQ & other information about the lotto will be released? If I'm subscribed to the newsletter, is that the first place it will be announced, or should I keep my eye on a certain thread? What about the theme? Should I keep my eye out in a certain thread for that too, or will that also be released in a newsletter first?

Cheers,

R

The "Details" have not been released yet! Yes, The JRS Newsletter is the first place for updates. Yes, there is a small knot in my stomach too (the word lottery, blah).

Another place to check is the Burning Man ticket page: http://tickets.burningman.com

Rice

[Rice]

All the people who procrastinated and SCREWED THEMSELVES out of a ticket complained so much that people who spend THOUSANDS of dollars and HUNDREDS of hours preparing ahead of time, now have to wait with the procrastinators to see if they can get a ticket.

This is not raising the bar, it has been thrown down into a bottomless port-a-pottie.

What kind of person would pay $300 to be at an aggressive, objectifying women, boring FRAT party in that hostile environment.
Is that the kind of people you all want at YOUR event?

Yet the very people who spend the most time creating the environment that people actually pay to be in, are now relegated to HOPING TO PARTICIPATE so a procrastinator can be GUARANTEED A SPECTATOR SEAT.

Call me a whiner, just shows you are probably a SPECTATOR who has never had to plan a large scale, long term, build.
Say I am panicking, just shows you don't know what panic is.

Catch phrases don't nearly embrace all the problems this "incomplete plan" will cause if implemented.

It would be wonderful if every artist (theme camp, art car, sculpture, etc...) skipped the Burn and went to Fourth of Juplaya with us.
Let the procrastinators, aggressive drunks, perverts, and thieves spend 2 weeks together and enjoy each others company.

Any groups that get an art grant but don't win the lottery, please contact us through this post and we will assist you in bringing the piece to the Fourth of Juplya

We do not know the details!! I kind of panicked when I saw the word lottery too, but again "WE DO NOT KNOW HOW THE LOTTERY IS GOING TO WORK".

"whiner" - so there!!

Uh, to be clear, Burning Man is an event that we purchase tickets for the privilege of attending, volunteering, building cool stuff, being idiots. Legally, the event is not ours, but something we make happen anyhow. One of the principles is Radical Inclusion (that means, people who I dont like have as much right to be there as I do). Fools that are unprepared, or simply spectate cheese me off as well. I wonder if it is possible to motivate them to participate more??

Love Rice

[Simon of the Playa]

you mean, like join the eplaya?

[Roberto Dobbisano]

[theCryptofishist]

I'm sure tho that there is enough space for everyone who REALLY wants to go.(or really needs to)

Nine out of ten magical leprechans say, yes!

[A Jester]

I am a virgin burner who has scrimped and saved to be ready to buy tickets. I have hoarded my vacation time. All I can say is I hope I hope I hope I get tickets! I just have to trust that if I plan to the best of my ability for what is in my control it will all work out. I am sure everything people are worried about has been considered by the powers that be. Hoping to see you all on the playa 2012

Ya know what I think!
Jenifersteppat, is awesome!
Burner Virgin, that is simply saying "I've saved my cash. I'm prepared. I hope I get a ticket" No ranting or bitching and complaining.

I hope Jenifersteppat gets a ticket too!

I second that emotion.

[remi]

All for? All Against? Motion passed!

[illy dilly]

You guys godda let me put on my white powder wig before we start passing motions!



There now its official!

[mrgr8avill]

Each ticket has to be assigned a name when purchasing (like an airline ticket). Only one ticket per name, 4 per named credit card. Non-transferrable except with letter/photocopy of ID method already in place. Tickets have name printed on them. Must show ID with ticket at gate. Quick DB check won't allow a second ticket to be purchased under the same name. Can't make up names because without ID they're worthless. If it doesn't match & you have no transfer letter w/id of the person who bought the ticket, you're staying in lovely Gerlach. Fuck 'yer day, scalpers!

Oh... and with only one ticketed event per year, write a program (take like a few days tops) to do your own ticketing, have everything in house, and clear an easy extra hundred grand a year in fees. 50k tix x $5 fee = $250k - $100k admin = $150k profit.

Now, if BMOrg is truly concerned about sscalping, that's your solution. Just sayin' though that a sold ticket is a sold ticket & BMOrg makes the same whether it's sold to a scalper or not. So this type of thing could actually stand to hurt them.

No, I'm a newb and I have no fucking clue what I'm talking about as far as how this all applies to BM - I just want a ticket. I'm just pointing out unfortunate human nature in general and saying that a simple-to-implement solution is at hand (in fact, many are).

[remi]

Each ticket has to be assigned a name when purchasing (like an airline ticket). Only one ticket per name, 4 per named credit card. Non-transferrable except with letter/photocopy of ID method already in place. Tickets have name printed on them. Must show ID with ticket at gate. Quick DB check won't allow a second ticket to be purchased under the same name. Can't make up names because without ID they're worthless. If it doesn't match & you have no transfer letter w/id of the person who bought the ticket, you're staying in lovely Gerlach. Fuck 'yer day, scalpers!

Now, if BMOrg is truly concerned about sscalping, that's your solution. Just sayin' though that a sold ticket is a sold ticket & BMOrg makes the same whether it's sold to a scalper or not. So this type of thing could actually stand to hurt them.

No, I'm a newb and I have no fucking clue what I'm talking about as far as how this all applies to BM - I just want a ticket. I'm just pointing out unfortunate human nature in general and saying that a simple-to-implement solution is at hand (in fact, many are).

I agree with all, except make it non-transferralbe. Refunds available until 2 weeks prior to BM (minus a pain in the ass fee). Infact, I agree with any solution where I can purchase my ticket on opening day. I don't care if they want a blood and stool sample.

[mrgr8avill]

I agree with all, except make it non-transferralbe. Refunds available until 2 weeks prior to BM (minus a pain in the ass fee). Infact, I agree with any solution where I can purchase my ticket on opening day. I don't care if they want a blood and stool sample.

I hear 'ya - except refunds are a pain in the ass from an administrative perspective. Either way, though, the tickets are still "transferrable" in the sense that if someone doesn't want one, there is some method in place for it to get into the hands of someone who does -- whether directly from person to person or back trhough admin like you suggest through the refund process.

It would be REALLY interesting to know 1) tix sold vs. tix collected at gate, and 2) question incoming citizens as to the sourcing of their tix to find out what percentage of tix are being re-sold or unused. Again, there is almost NO motive for BMOrg to do this, though, since it would only end up hurting their bottom line. And with some $19Mil of tix revenue on the line, I'm sure there is some pretty hefty motivation to sell as many tix as possible as quickly as possible, regardless of who it is buying them...

[theCryptofishist]

It would be REALLY interesting to know 1) tix sold vs. tix collected at gate, and 2) question incoming citizens as to the sourcing of their tix to find out what percentage of tix are being re-sold or unused. Again, there is almost NO motive for BMOrg to do this, though, since it would only end up hurting their bottom line.

Bottom line nothing. There simply isn't the manpower to do this, and it would increase the wait time by a couple hours or more. As would adding some tracking to make sure that the ticket goes to one particular person rather than another.

[A Jester]

So far every non-transferable plan with any details in it looks (to me) as though it would be a total clusterfuck on the administrative side and on the gate side.

You might complain about waiting till January to know you have a ticket, what if you get to the gate and your name and your ticket ID number don't match? That's seconds before you try to enter that you find out you don't have a ticket.

It's kinda fun to imagine a world where each difficult to forge ticket would have a scan of your california drivers license on the back of it, making it fairly easy for gate to check it's validity. I just don't see that as feasible.

Really, it's very likely than not that non-transferable tickets were discussed, and the current system was seen as better for everyone.

[bradtem]

Well, my favourite non-transferable ticket approach is as follows:

a) When purchasing a ticket, you must upload a photo of your genitals and the genitals of the campmates you are buying tickets for.
b) When arriving at gate, everybody should be naked. Get out of the car and provide ticket code for scanning by gate staff tablet
c) If not naked at gate, no disrobing -- go back to the end of the line and get naked.
d) Gate staff tablet displays uploaded photo. Gate crew inspect your package and compare to photo. If you were shaved in photo be sure to be shaved now. Try to avoid being excited in the photo unless you will be similarly excited to meet your gate crew.
e) Welcome home!

Sure, it might slow down gate processing a bit. But it would probably stop the tickets from selling out. Might get more gate volunteers.

[Bob]

This thread obviously needs Twitter followers. Hey mods, can we implement that, say, by January?

[junglesmacks]

Well, my favourite non-transferable ticket approach is as follows:

a) When purchasing a ticket, you must upload a photo of your genitals and the genitals of the campmates you are buying tickets for.
b) When arriving at gate, everybody should be naked. Get out of the car and provide ticket code for scanning by gate staff tablet
c) If not naked at gate, no disrobing -- go back to the end of the line and get naked.
d) Gate staff tablet displays uploaded photo. Gate crew inspect your package and compare to photo. If you were shaved in photo be sure to be shaved now. Try to avoid being excited in the photo unless you will be similarly excited to meet your gate crew.
e) Welcome home!

Sure, it might slow down gate processing a bit. But it would probably stop the tickets from selling out. Might get more gate volunteers.

Bradley? When did you grow a sense of humor? Has someone hacked your eplaya account? OED? Is that you?