Things you assume...

[Turtleburp]

This years burn opened my eyes a little to things I assume that folks have seen or interacted with.

My big thing was with people who'd never seen the sea; I have spent hundreds of hour in, on and under the sea and could not imagine a life without it.
It does help of course that I've been diving for over 13 years but even before that it was a big thing.

It makes sense in a landlocked state but not to have seen the sea full stop, forgetting the many moods, fish, smells etc blew me away.

So much so that I didn't ask assumptions people would have of me.

If you've got am important thing you'd assume that I would know/ have seen do me a favour and post a line or two - be good to know what I'm missing

[Bumble]

Well, we did forgo seeing the grand canyon whilst in vegas organising for the burn

& as for the guy that hadn't seen the sea, we haven't really seen "Middle America" albeit, a small road trip from vegas to reno (not too many bibles or churches seen - just outback brothels & the impressive "VOTE for WANKER" sign (no really))

Well done on the philosophical question Turtle - "how long is a piece of string" with 7 billion people in the world, do you think between all of us on eplaya we can come up with a

TOP TEN list of what you see or do everyday that you "stupidly" assume everyone else does or sees.............

[Drawingablank]

just outback brothels & the impressive "VOTE for WANKER" sign (no really))

That is so funny - I've spoken to her a few times on the phone and Judge Wanker is actually a really nice person. She is sometimes called the chocolate judge because when she makes campaign appearances she gives out chocolate gavel lollypops.

[ygmir]

is the sea water in Oz 50 degrees and mostly rocky coast?.......just wondering.

[Dr. Pyro]

When I went to UCSB I had met several people, all Southern Californians, who had never seen snow. That seemed almost impossible to me, but what would you expect from a bunch of ignorant Dodger fans. I swear, they thought the stuff on top of the Matterhorn at Disneyland was actual snow. How the hell do these people get into the University of California?

[graidawg]

having flown in a small plane at 8, and gone shooting with my dad, i am rarely surprised at what people haven't done, but then i've been to burning man

[AntiM]

Years ago, I went to visit my ex-husband's aunt and family. They lived in a civil war era house, without indoor plumbing. Wow. Moving into a trailer park was a step up.

I've been shooting, but never hunting. Dad used to take me fishing, so I've done that. Almost everyone in Utah has gone fishing at some time in their life, even if it is the stocked kiddie ponds on farms.

I know people who have never set foot in any type of museum, or gone to the symphony or a live performance at a theater. Sad.

[Rice]

I assume that most people from other places have not seen or experienced the things I have.

If I meet another Burner I can assume that we have a common experience - being burners. Even then, I do not assume either of us have seen the same things. Depends on which year one was at Burning Man, whether one is more inclined to partying than others, volunteering experiences, etc.

Currently I live about 2000 miles from the nearest ocean. I love sailing on the ocean, but have to settle with sailing on lakes right now. The experience is similar but different (due to boat size, lake size, etc.) I learned to dive in fresh water lakes, have only dived in the ocean at Trinidad and in The Red Sea (my salt water diving experience)... So, yah - I am jealous of those that have daily access to warm oceans

Life is too short to worry about what other people have seen or experienced. If one wishes, they can make it happen. (Most good things in life are not easy to accomplish. ) I do not believe in the "bucket List". I have experienced a lot of cool things, and still have a lot of life ahead. I am certain that I will experience more I like the mystery of picking a random road and seeing where it ends up.

Sorry for the rambling! Well, honestly - no I am not sorry. I have not had enough coffee to clearer.

TTFN.,
Rice.

[Bob]

Start with the people you people call "artists".

Like, wondering who the artist of "x" is. Meeting the artists. Funding the artists. Volunteering with the artists.

Shit, I thought the whole point was all'ya'll were assumed to be artists at this art festival.

Let badges be issued. You show up, you're an artist, with a fucking badge to prove it.

[theCryptofishist]

I'm not quite Calder caliber...

[Bob]

That said, outside the event I wonder about people and vehicles. Like never having driven a stick. Like never driving a stick in country with right-hand drive and FUCKING roundabouts everywhere. Never riding a train that wasn't a tourist train. Or doing a cross-country bus trip. Makes you go, "Hmm..." but I try not to assume because people will fuck your mind over every time.

[theCryptofishist]

There are all sorts of bubbles...

I don't understand how people can give so much of their attention on movies and tv shows, and not only is that ridiculous, because I used to, but other people are disturbed that I don't. I would not be surprised if someone tried to "convert" me here and now...

[Trishntek]

I've always assumed everybody played with high voltage equipment and water,,, no?

[knowmad]

I assume, we are all capable of empathy.
I assume that there is enough; food, shelter, and human contact for everyone on this planet.
I assume, that we hold these truths to be self-evident.

[junglesmacks]

I assume that the contents of my fridge have changed since the last time I opened it 5 minutes ago.


I'm usually wrong.

[knowmad]

I assume that the contents of my fridge have changed since the last time I opened it 5 minutes ago.


I'm usually wrong.

I assume this a common problem for potheads everywhere. not that I'm assuming you are a pot head or anything.

[Savannah]

I assume that the contents of my fridge have changed since the last time I opened it 5 minutes ago.


I'm usually wrong.

I assume this a common problem for potheads everywhere. not that I'm assuming you are a pot head or anything.

How dare you, Madame. Junglesmacks is high on LIFE.

And the Lord.

[junglesmacks]

[knowmad]

"The Lord said unto me, 'I will take my rest and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs.' " -- Isaiah 18:4-5

[mgb327]

I assume that most people I know that have not been exposed to techno/house/EDM will be simply amazed and addicted the minute I give them a CD of...say...the DJsFromMars...or Fatboy Slim. Most say..."what the fuck is this shit". How can they not love it? Prolly 'cause they have not heard it on the playa.

[Bob]

{ thread killer }

[Eric]

I assume that most people I know that have not been exposed to techno/house/EDM will be simply amazed and addicted the minute I give them a CD of...say...the DJsFromMars...or Fatboy Slim. Most say..."what the fuck is this shit". How can they not love it? Prolly 'cause they have not heard it on the playa.

Factually incorrect - Bootie played DJs From Mars at Root Society on Weds night for Rootie Bootie, so they have been heard on the playa. Just not in person. Yet.

(and I got to meet them when they played Bootie SF, super nice guys, but totally has nothing to do with this discussion)

[theCryptofishist]

I assumed mgb's was about people who'd never been to Burningman not liking the music because they don't have that context...

[Zhust]

There's lots of things I assume, but when I attempt to apply them, I go, "nah, that's either too regional or unique to assume everyone has done it." Eaten an McCoun apple picked from a tree? Driven on ice? Jumped off a boat and swam in a body of water which is too deep to touch bottom?

So let me reframe to see if I can come up with anything: when was the last time I was surprised to hear someone had never experienced something? Off hand I'm drawing a blank.

I guess I tend to fall for the myth that if I find someone amicable, that they generally agree with my foundational beliefs about the world. In other words, I'm pretty surprised when I'm getting along with someone who suddenly reveals they are racist or homophobic or think it's okay to kill people for whatever reason.

I guess I can get a little disappointed. Like if someone has only ever eaten at chain restaurants. Or if jeir only vacations are to sanitized corporate places like Disney. Maybe that's as close as I can get to being surprised at what someone hasn't done.

[Turtleburp]

When I went to UCSB I had met several people, all Southern Californians, who had never seen snow. That seemed almost impossible to me, but what would you expect from a bunch of ignorant Dodger fans. I swear, they thought the stuff on top of the Matterhorn at Disneyland was actual snow. How the hell do these people get into the University of California?

Snow is a good one - on a par with the sea.

I lived in Thailand, Koh Phi Phi, for a while in '99 and Mama Nok who ran Noks restaurant (made a mean Massaman so I spent quite a few evenings there ) refused to believe in snow.
She would play movies and while we watched one with snow she was pissing herself - she thought it as a joke or trick and could not be persuaded otherwise.

She played Deep Impact and laughed at that too - she would simply run up to Look Out Point and be on high ground to avoid the wave - or as it turns out sadly not.

is the sea water in Oz 50 degrees and mostly rocky coast?.......just wondering.

Australia fucking huge and has almost every type of coast line you can think of, just here in Victoria alone we have mangroves, rocky coast, sandy beaches and mud flats.
Sea temp is from about 10-25 but I am only an adopted Aussie and hale form the land of roundabouts and cold waters.

[Bob]

Some people assume Oz is a subset of Asia.

I'm from Frisco. People assume all kinds of things, and usually I'm more than happy *not* to correct them.

[mgb327]

I assumed mgb's was about people who'd never been to Burningman not liking the music because they don't have that context...

Exactly...(and btw, Bootie was awesome)

[Box Burner]

of course you can assume anything and the end result is always the same.

[Zhust]

of course you can assume anything and the end result is always the same.

I believe you're making an assumption there. And a generalization, which are always wrong.

[wh..sh]

Most people I have met, in the western world, assume that I grew up eating peanut butter or even like it.
I usually assume they are going to be shocked.

I wonder how anyone thought of mixing two bland things (peanut + butter) together?