Google loves Burning Man

[Nanahuatl]

[youtube][/youtube]



Its a kinda long haul video to watch (hour and a bit), but I thought it was pretty interesting.

Thoughts anyone?

[trilobyte]

Many of their employees and leaders have loved Burning Man for a long, long time.

[Bluemandrew]

The first time the google logo changed was so people knew where to find the lead guys.

[Elderberry]

The speaker doesn't feel it's suitable for his kids.

[Elderberry]

That guy knows nothing about burning man. He doesn't like burning man, and I'd venture to guress he will never go back to burning man. (unless he finds a camp he likes. Ya, like that will ever happen.)

I think he could have just as easily and eruditely given a one hour lecture on this mole I have on my ass and it would have been equally informative--and worthless.

[Nanahuatl]

But how would he even know enough about the mole on your ass to talk for an hour? And to do it eruditely, he really have to know his shit.

I thought it was interesting enough, just because he hasn't gone in a few years doesn't make his points less valid, even if he's a bit of a square. What makes you say he doesn't like it? sounds like he really likes it he's just overstimulated/lost interest/feels he cant take his kids (not points we'd all agree with but different strokes etc, etc).

[Elderberry]

He's strictly an observer, much like a scientist looking at bacteria in a petri dish through his microscope. Though he attended, all he did was observe. Any one that really "gets" it speaks about it with passion. Did you detect even a hint of passion in his presentation or even in his extemporaneous Q&A at the end? I know I didn't.

[Nanahuatl]

True, I did notice there was a marked difference between the way he spoke about it compared to the burners in the audience. Though I am yet to go, this brings up something I was wondering about; What counts for more, radical inclusion or participation? for example I hope we still include people who don't participate for reasons like scientific observation.

I mean, that guy probably wouldn't be there giving an hour long lecture if he had absolutely no passion for it.

[Simon of the Playa]

remember, you are replying to a man whose avatar is continuously masturbating.


just sayin'.

[Nanahuatl]

Whenever I am selecting an avatar for a new forum, I see the little ones of people wanking and I wonder about if anyone actually uses those as avatars.

Now I know.

Sic semper, tyrannosaurus.
-always faithful, terrible lizard.

[Elderberry]

Would you say a person that enjoys performing autopsies has a passion for life?

[Nanahuatl]

enjoys performing autopsies

well, yeah. If they enjoy doing it. Of the assorted physicians and necromancers I know, they would say what they are passionless about is other peoples lives.

Ever watch NCIS? That girl's fictional character is written relatively cheerfully and shes a forensic coroner or something.

[Eric]

Would you say a person that enjoys performing autopsies has a passion for life?

My nephew-in-law is a coroner. He's got quite a passion for life, as well as being frighteningly intelligent (2 masters, almost finished with his 3rd). He's also got some ... disturbing ... stories. Never bring up bathtubs around him...

[theCryptofishist]

I don't have any trouble imagining that someone who performs autopsies can be passionate about life.
In fact, I can see someone's passion for life turning into a deep interest in understanding how people lose life.
And then, insofar, as autopsists are scientists, I can see a real connection to loving life--although scientists don't necessarily love life in the way we think people should love life...

[trilobyte]

Getting through a few minutes of the presentation (which is about all I could take), I didn't get the feeling that this is a fellow participant who gets it - though his entire argument (that the 'culture of Burning Man as being the core infrastructure for a new way of manufacturing') just screams "I don't get it!" from the start. I encourage you to spend as little time as you can watching or reading other people pontificating on what it's about or supposed to be about, and more time doing the prep work to build your camp and outfit yourself for the journey and then just see and experience it for yourself.

[stinkyfoot]

Google is cute because it's basically a bunch of really conservative nerdy types who think they're the most zany and creative people on the planet because they're less conservative than other nerds.

[stinkyfoot]

I didn't get the feeling that this is a fellow participant who gets it - though his entire argument (that the 'culture of Burning Man as being the core infrastructure for a new way of manufacturing') just screams "I don't get it!" from the start.

The argument that 'culture of Burning Man as being the core infrastructure for a new way of manufacturing' is something that I could agree with as student of post industrial manufacturing. I think he's on to something with that. Although, you'd see more direct evidence of this phenomenon at events like Maker Faire, which is specifically focused around that type of thing.

The thing that stood out to me was that while this presenter might be particularly perceptive about the logistics of material production for events such as Burning Man and how the event becomes a vector for great material innovations, he completely failed to comprehend how Burning Man is just as much a stage for cultural innovation, instead he trivializes these important cultural activities as 'bohemian culture,' some other mode of being that he's clearly not interested in comprehending or accepting.

This is particularly ironic when he starts talking about the seemingly insurmountable problem of 'personalizing the work space,' around the 52 minute mark, since I would argue that a huge aspect of 'bohemian culture' is about understanding, reconciling or breaking the norm for the personae that we project into the world. I would argue that while it's true that many creatives delight in projecting extremes of behavior (the reason most people are a little terrified of artists), many also have a very deep and intimate understanding of the subtleties of identity creation that could be used to answer the very question of how to thrive in 'personalized' work spaces.

[Rice]

True, I did notice there was a marked difference between the way he spoke about it compared to the burners in the audience. Though I am yet to go, this brings up something I was wondering about; What counts for more, radical inclusion or participation? for example I hope we still include people who don't participate for reasons like scientific observation.

I mean, that guy probably wouldn't be there giving an hour long lecture if he had absolutely no passion for it.

Hmm, Radical inclusion VS participation...

It took me a few burns to work it out myself. Kind of shy, quiet. Prone to stand back and observe for a bit before walking in. At times, I just wandered off.

To expect to be included is at best going to lead to disappointment. Running around trying everything you see will at best lead to exhaustion and worst at day in the medical tent.

My experience of radical inclusion resulted from giving of myself, my experience, my time, my passion. As a result of my giving of myself I was given so much. I gained a crazy dysfunctional wonderful family that I never dreamt existed. I realized that when I unconditionally gave, I received. When I accepted, I gained acceptance.

There are so many amazing creative people in BRC who devote most of their free time finding complex solutions for the issues we encounter as a result of living our allowed time in BRC. I have also seen a number of stupidly simple solutions for some of the more complex issues. People helping each other, just because help is needed (no ulterior motives.)

Black Rock City exists for its brief time every year, in part, due to the efforts of the wonderful women and men of DPW. Those giving cats who pour their hears, souls, and blood into making the framework of which BRC springs into life. 8 days and then its all torn down, burnt up, packed away and pawed over with a fine-toothed comb. I tip my hat, and offer drink when I can.

There are many people behind the scenes, who work for a year to ensure that Burning Man will happen. Much Bureaucratic red tape. Planning and more planning. So much more than one sees if they are not looking.

In most cases, the only way to understand a department is to volunteer there for a burn or two. (As I carefully attempt to step around a couple subjects which have been beaten to death each year)

So basically, it is not a simple as you believe. If you think you know, you really don't.

I'll give while I can, go until I am unable. Words really cannot explain or describe anyhow.

There is no reason why we all cannot live as though every moment is on the playa....

* End of ramble *

[Roberto Dobbisano]

i saw serge at jiffy lube a few years back.

he was "manufacturing", for sure.

[H.G.Crosby]

and why were YOU there?

[Roberto Dobbisano]

i dont participate in that freak show...





i saw the tapes.

[Simon of the Playa]

"street view" strikes again....