Student needs access to computer w/ internet

[Ninja Nemo]

Hi all. My wife needs to register for her school classes during the burn but obviously we don't plan to have a computer, internet, etc. and using smartphones isn't reliable. Does anyone know of a camp or group that could allow her to use a computer w/ internet for 15 minutes or so that week? I'm thinking maybe Media Mecca, although I don't have anyone's contact info or know where to start to reach them. Any help would be loved. Thanks!

[mudpuppy000]

There's wifi in various places but it's a crapshoot.

[some seeing eye]

Extensively discussed on ePlaya just search. Take the bus into Gerlach, bring your own laptop, plus you might find supplies there that would be nice mid-week.

[Savannah]

This is how to bus into Gerlach mid-week. Hours are limited.
http://www.burningman.com/on_the_playa/ ... rvice.html

I've heard unsubstantiated rumors of WiFi near Center Camp way early in the morning (3am, 4am, something like that). I have no idea if that's true, and you would need to have your own device.

Media Mecca is unlikely to provide internet access so a person can register for classes. They are easily searchable from the keyword search on the main site, but I suspect they will say no.

If your wife has a sharp sibling or friend, she might be able to owe them a favor for registering for the classes she wants.

[Bless]

Some theme camps advertise having Wi-Fi available, like A Sack of Sit. I don't know how reliable it is, though. But I would recommend going through all of the theme camps registered so far and seeing which ones list Wi-Fi. Maybe contact the camps and see how reliable their connections are.

[trilobyte]

Be radically self-reliant, and bring a computer and satellite gear to try your luck at getting a signal. Or be radically responsible, and don't be on the playa where service would be iffy at best. A smart and responsible person would avoid being on the playa if this is something that's crucial to them. Smartphones, sat-phones, satellite internet, and even what you think is a wired connection... are all potentially useless depending on weather, signal strength, and playa conditions.

Media mecca does not provide public internet access.

[portaplaya]

Be radically self-reliant, and ...

In some ways, just having a "Shared Resources" section on Eplaya undercuts the purity of self-reliance.

[Ninja Nemo]

Thanks for the somewhat helpful, somewhat snarky comments. We had already arranged with a friend to register for her as a contingency plan, but we figured we'd see what we could arranged ahead of time on playa. I didn't think about the Gerlach option, so thanks for that idea.

It's funny, as a somewhat newbie burner (2 years down, many to go), I find many of the veterans are eager to quote "radical self-reliance" but are the same who readily use their camp's meal plans and sleep in their comfy RV's, as if that exudes self-reliance.

See you all in the dust.

[theCryptofishist]

So, who in this thread camps in an RV?

[portaplaya]

I camp in a trailer.

But I remodeled it from the frame up. That puts me in some sort of limbo in-between ass-hat and douchebag.

How many people personally sewed the tent they live in at Burning Man?

[Nipple]

Thanks for the somewhat helpful, somewhat snarky comments. We had already arranged with a friend to register for her as a contingency plan, but we figured we'd see what we could arranged ahead of time on playa. I didn't think about the Gerlach option, so thanks for that idea.

It's funny, as a somewhat newbie burner (2 years down, many to go), I find many of the veterans are eager to quote "radical self-reliance" but are the same who readily use their camp's meal plans and sleep in their comfy RV's, as if that exudes self-reliance.

See you all in the dust.

I'm able to last a week and a half in the desert with nothing but the ePlaya search function. It's worth a look.

[theCryptofishist]

I camp in a trailer.

But I remodeled it from the frame up. That puts me in some sort of limbo in-between ass-hat and douchebag.

How many people personally sewed the tent they live in at Burning Man?

How many people personally drove the yaks across the wool to make the felt for their Burningman yurt?

[portaplaya]

How many people personally drove the yaks across the wool to make the felt for their Burningman yurt?

Two.

I thought this was common knowledge.

[Mojojita]

Dear Ninja Nemo:

I guess I fall into the category of one of the people who you consider to not "exude" self-reliance. Although my camp does not have a meal plan other than what I prepare, I spend over two weeks on the playa helping get BRC ready for everybody else. Yes, I sleep in an old RV, and yes, I eat at the commissary the first week I'm there. Having attended for the last consecutive 15 years, I guess I may be a veteran.

I believe you may be incorrect in your judgment regarding self reliance as it pertains to how someone secures their meals or the shelter they choose on the playa. Self reliance means simply that you have planned for food and shelter and are able to provide for yourself and, if you are generous, others as well.

So, if you are going to look down your nose at someone because they are in an RV, you really don't get it and you are just being a new sort of snob.

[portaplaya]

Well, there is a tent/group camp vs. RV/caravan debate, but I don't think self-reliance is the central issue of that debate.

I think it is actually Immediacy. Hiding from the day's heat in your air conditioned box just doesn't bring you in contact with your neighbors in the same way. To some this is sufficient to "violate" this principle. I'm not sure that 100% immediacy is a necessary or even a good thing. But I am merely reframing the discussion away from "self-reliance". That one doesn't even make sense to use on RVers.

One reason I question this argument is that assuming that hiding from the heat is the behavior of someone who camps in an RV is a pretty big assumption.

And we all agree that those that spend the mornings or afternoons volunteering for the event are pretty much covered on Immediacy, Community and whatever other principles you might care to drag into this discussion.

[Mojojita]

I just have a problem with anybody that pulls out the old "burnier than thou" stuff to judge anybody else. Does it really make a big difference to you if someone hides in their RV for the entire event? OMG, "you're doing it wrong"! So who are the immediacy police?

[portaplaya]

I just have a problem with anybody that pulls out the old "burnier than thou" stuff to judge anybody else.

I edited the post to make it more clear that this is AN ARGUMENT, but not necessarily my argument. But I do think it has more traction than "RVers are not self reliant". I don't even understand the basis of that argument.

[theCryptofishist]

How many people personally drove the yaks across the wool to make the felt for their Burningman yurt?

Two.

I thought this was common knowledge.

See, I can see Danger Ranger doing this... But Dr. Megavolt--I've never been able to believe that.

[forty_eight]

No one is self reliant in some bedrock sense of the phrase ... and who would want that?

It'd be a some overly individualistic event where no one could even offer 'gifts', etc.

It seems like the principles create blind spots for themselves sometimes.

[portaplaya]

It seems like the principles create blind spots for themselves sometimes.

The principles have some areas where they potentially contradict each other. The art of being a burner is to balance those in your own way, ideally not interfering with the way that others balance their conflicts. Some times it just takes a more careful reading of the entire wording of each principle, rather than slapping people in the face with your interpretation of the title of each of the principles. (And really, when is any sort of real or figurative face-slapping productive?)

Immediacy
Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.

Radical Self-reliance
Burning Man encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources.

http://www.burningman.com/whatisburning ... iples.html

These are principles, not rules people. They do inspire a few actual rules at the event (like no vending or marketing), but I have yet to see the Rangers kick someone out for failing to "Radical Include" someone. Community members should be educating people on how to fit within the principles from their unique and interesting point of view, not shunning/shaming people. Besides, I think the principles are against that sort of negative response anyway...

[theCryptofishist]

No vending is actually a BLM thing.

[Martiena]

Re: Student needs access to computer w/ internet
Postby Mojojita » Thu Aug 01, 2013 4:11 pm
I just have a problem with anybody that pulls out the old "burnier than thou" stuff to judge anybody else. Does it really make a big difference to you if someone hides in their RV for the entire event? OMG, "you're doing it wrong"! So who are the immediacy police!
User avatar
Mojojita

This will be my 3rd burn. My friend and I had planned to go together in 2011.
She was diagnosed with heart problems and spent that year getting healthy. She was unable to join me.
I went alone. Camped, and loved it!
This will be my friend's 2nd burn. She has only been able to attend because we have rented an R.V.
Keeping cool,and having a place to rest during the hottest hours is vital for her wellbeing.
I will reap the benefits of our situation.
We are both looking forward to volunteering with Playa information this year.

Unless you walk in another's shoes you are only making assumptions!
I figure it's O.K. to level the playing field using whatever assistive technology necessary.
People generally do the best they can with what they've got!
I am not speaking to anyone in particular, but I just had to respond.
Ya! No judgements and no immediacy police.

[Lonesomebri]

Having an RV is just plain wrong. Unless, of course, some fool invites me in, then I will turn this same passionate anti-RV energy to full support of RVs. This argument in me could be settled very easily. You decide!

[Martiena]

Having an RV is just plain wrong. Unless, of course, some fool invites me in, then I will turn this same passionate anti-RV energy to full support of RVs. This argument in me could be settled very easily. You decide!

Don't tell anyone, but I despise air conditioning.
I'm bringing my tent in case!

[CornMan]

Thanks for the somewhat helpful, somewhat snarky comments. We had already arranged with a friend to register for her as a contingency plan, but we figured we'd see what we could arranged ahead of time on playa. I didn't think about the Gerlach option, so thanks for that idea.

It's funny, as a somewhat newbie burner (2 years down, many to go), I find many of the veterans are eager to quote "radical self-reliance" but are the same who readily use their camp's meal plans and sleep in their comfy RV's, as if that exudes self-reliance.

See you all in the dust.

I'm actually surprised they didn't attack you outright. I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand, the playa world is one place, and the default world is another. On the other hand, burners are a pretty crafty bunch, and where there's a will, there's a way to concoct some really amazing things whether it be art, imaginative parties, or technology suitable for extreme conditions.

[pink]

My camper van's a/c doesn't work. Roof a/c or dash a/c. But it is a bit warmer at night when it needs to be, I'm off the ground which my knees like, and my fridge rocks. Oh, and it's a nice sound barrier. I don't need earplugs.

Oh yeah, and I own it. Would be stupid to leave it at home just to meet with someone else's view of what radically self reliant is.

[Straightveg]

I think I finally get the silly "RV's aren't radically self reliant" argument. The gist of the issue isn't really self-reliance at all, its that some folks think RV's aren't radical enough.