Plug n plays running amuk

[danibel]

Come on. Big circle of RV's coming in on Friday EA's (a camp across the street that set up a lookout tower watched the whole thing get set up by drivers driven in and taken out) using tickets even though they were not staying. People (the org/placement knows who these camps are - and they choose to look the other way). And as for participation - the camp was a wall of RV siding, all the way around. When we were making ice cream or even during our happy hour, not even a head peeped from that direction. It's true I have no idea if the people in that camp volunteered, but they certainly didn't with us or the other camp across the street.

I have heard, and no, I can't prove it, that the org gets 3% of plug play profits. If this is true it certainly proves it's all about money. The plug n plays profit off the party WE create. The org profits too, but they also deal with the shit storms this event has (BLM, ticket fiascos, clean up), and I am okay with the money the org makes. They deserve it.

[theCryptofishist]

It's always evolving. And burners.me seems to have a stick up its ass a lot of the times...

Indeed. I call it burners.meh for a reason.

[El Capitan]

We went for a cycle along L this year and found the vibe a little disconcerting. The majority of streets in the suburbs were a mixture of tents and RV's, with shade structures facing the street and people watching the world go by (if not actively participating). As such the suburbs still felt fairly open and friendly (even neighbourly). By comparison, L steet had lots of RV's jammed up close together, few camps had open spaces facing the street, and there was almost nobody about. As such it felt fairly closed off and unfriendly.

I went a talk by somebody from the BN organising committee in center camp and the issue of turnkey camps (apparently they don't like the term PnP) came up. They seemed aware of the problem and said they were working with these camps to get them to open up and participate more. So I'll guess we'll if they succeed over the next few years.

I don't have a big issue with the concept of PnP camps—after all plenty of regular camps charge a fee and have people come in early and set up in advance. Especially if it's the only way you can justify the trip. However the idea of a sherpa picking out your wardrobe and decorating your bike does seem to go against the spirit of burning man. It also diminishes a big part of the fun.

I hope, as one of the organisers suggested, people will only got to a PnG once or twice, before building up the confidence to go it alone and participate more. So let's hope that these folks will get inspired to build their own camps, volunteer their time, or at the very least donate some of their wealth to art projects — after all a lot of the art on the Playa wouldn't exist if it wasn't for semi-wealthy benefactors.

If the PnP camps stay around L street, I'm fine with that. However my worry is that their popularity will grow and they'll start spreading out around the city, creating dead areas which sap the spirit and openness of the city. So while I don't think PnP's have ruined Burning Man yet, I hope that the organisers manage their growth responsibly and encourage them to open up and add value, rather than simply leaching energy from the system.

[unjonharley]

So why were you watching other people do what they do? Instead of participating..

No one is going to let you run there show..

[El Capitan]

BTW I love the idea of trolling these camps as some have suggested by...

• Dressing up as bouncers, putting down a red carpet, roping off the entrance to these camps and not letting folks in.
• Dressing up as maids/butlers and crashing the camps looking for work.
• Handing out fake VIP wrists-bands and crashing the party.
• Humorously trolling people with a bull-horn as they enter/leave these camps (as I've seen people do with the porta-potties).

[El Capitan]

Really not sure what you mean onharley. Are you suggesting that I shouldn't have gone for a cycle along L one afternoon, or have thoughts about PnP camps because "That's not participating"?

[unjonharley]

Really not sure what you mean onharley. Are you suggesting that I shouldn't have gone for a cycle along L one afternoon, or have thoughts about PnP camps because "That's not participating"?

I don't call it participating when some one is minding someone else's affairs.

[maladroit]

All the hoopla in northern Nevada this week is that we won the bribing contest to lure tesla motors into building a multi billion dollar battery factory in Storey county. Turns out that the president/ceo of tesla is an "avid burner". I'm good with that. He calls Burning Man an "arts-tech-counterculture" event. According to the Wall Street Urinal the ceo stayed in an "elaborate rv compound" on the playa in 2011.

Well, he went incog as long as possible. Even completely disguised his art car one year. I helped build it and had to keep quiet. Before then he could have been that random dude standing next to you at a bar.

We want the rich and famous to act like us, but the problem is we don't treat them the same as us. Some random dirtbag does a Segway dance and no one would care. But we all know Will Smith did it.

You run into John Travolta wrestling a piece of rebar out of the ground, will your interaction be anything like the one you'd have with some random dude? Some of you would do nothing differently...and that's cool. But most won't.

There are walls we all have, protecting our sense of self from others. We interact with people according to a set of common sense guidelines. Public figures see these walls ignored every day. So if they come to Burning Man, they'll replace those walls with RVs and security guards.

Don't pity them...they have opportunities most of us will never experience. But they're dealing with the reality that people will want to take selfies with them and brag about how they played a prank on Will Wheaton. That's too much default mixed into my playa.

[El Capitan]

I'm not sure onharley read my post properly so I'll forgive the ad hominem response for now

My comment about "none participation" was an observation that throughout the suburbs of BRC, even if camp members weren't participating at that instance, their camps faced out to the street, opening up the potential for participation. By contrast the PnP camps felt closed off so there was no option for participation, even if one wanted (which I did).

As I didn't mention anything about my level of participation in the post, I'm not sure where you got the idea that I wasn't participating, unless you're saying that cycling means you're a non-participant, in which case by your logic almost nobody at BM has the right to an opinion and we're all a bit screwed.

[Lonesomebri]

I love how people believe that Burning Man culture affects the entire world, yet a culture right in Black Rock City has no affect on Burning Man. It's a miracle!!!

We want the rich and famous to act like us, but the problem is we don't treat them the same as us. Some random dirtbag does a Segway dance and no one would care. But we all know Will Smith did it.
You run into John Travolta wrestling a piece of rebar out of the ground, will your interaction be anything like the one you'd have with some random dude? Some of you would do nothing differently...and that's cool. But most won't.
...Don't pity them...they have opportunities most of us will never experience. But they're dealing with the reality that people will want to take selfies with them and brag about how they played a prank on Will Wheaton. That's too much default mixed into my playa.

Sure, Travolta pulls his own rebar.....sure.......too funny. Why create a fiction where travolata is pulling rebar when you know for a fact he would be in an rv? Why is this fictional world of celebrities seeking enlightenment and the common person keeping the celebrity from being like one of us so important? And I heckle EVERYONE I see on a doucheway. But then, I have standards. Trying to make out that celebrities are victims, or trying to "get it" or on the verge of enlightenment is all necessary to keep alive an illusion, one I don't need. Who is pitying celebrities, other than the ones telling us to sympathize with their gross behavior?

[bigbluedoggy]

Money buys anything. Anyone who really believes that these PnP camps aren't just paying their way in with access to EA passes and tickets is very naive. This is a business.

[Sandstorm]

We went for a cycle along L this year and found the vibe a little disconcerting.

I really liked your post. I regret to see that you experienced a TROLL ATTACK after you made your thoughtful and well-written post. I send you dusty hugs to offset the musky stench of TROLL STANK that recently arose in this thread.

Don't pity them...they have opportunities most of us will never experience. But they're dealing with the reality that people will want to take selfies with them and brag about how they played a prank on Will Wheaton. That's too much default mixed into my playa.

Good post.

[Elderberry]

I don't much mind the idea of plug and play, but I saw something this year I think around 5:30 and E maybe that was really off-putting. It appeared that almost an entire block was fenced off with a 6 foot black cloth fence. Over the fence all you could see were the peaks of what appeared to be a huge circus tent.

That was a big turn off for me.

Err... That was commissary..

Really? I thought the commissary was located close to center camp.

[tattoogoddess]

I'm REALLY suprised no one has read that link I posted and commented.

[Jovankat]

I don't much mind the idea of plug and play, but I saw something this year I think around 5:30 and E maybe that was really off-putting. It appeared that almost an entire block was fenced off with a 6 foot black cloth fence. Over the fence all you could see were the peaks of what appeared to be a huge circus tent.

That was a big turn off for me.

Err... That was commissary..

Really? I thought the commissary was located close to center camp.

Nope 5:30 between E & G

[Nipple]

The Silicon Valley Elite at 5:30 and G were terrible, but their disguises were PRETTY GOOD. The worst of the worst were in there when I braved it.

[otakup0pe]

I don't much mind the idea of plug and play, but I saw something this year I think around 5:30 and E maybe that was really off-putting. It appeared that almost an entire block was fenced off with a 6 foot black cloth fence. Over the fence all you could see were the peaks of what appeared to be a huge circus tent.

That was a big turn off for me.

Was it a white peaked tent? Cause that sounds like roughly where the commissary was. I hear it's quite an exclusive meal option for those who qualify.

[pug]

Really not sure what you mean onharley. Are you suggesting that I shouldn't have gone for a cycle along L one afternoon, or have thoughts about PnP camps because "That's not participating"?

I think s/he means, "Stop sweating these camps - there were so many other things you could do."

Personally, I saw a few, I kept going. I had somewhere to go or a fun person with me or knew that I'd run into something cool in a bit.

[Elderberry]

I don't much mind the idea of plug and play, but I saw something this year I think around 5:30 and E maybe that was really off-putting. It appeared that almost an entire block was fenced off with a 6 foot black cloth fence. Over the fence all you could see were the peaks of what appeared to be a huge circus tent.

That was a big turn off for me.

Was it a white peaked tent? Cause that sounds like roughly where the commissary was. I hear it's quite an exclusive meal option for those who qualify.

It was the commissary. Strange that I have never seen it before. Though, not knowing what it was, it sure struck me as a private and exclusive place/camp.

[Lonesomebri]

The plug and plays are businesses run on a business model. If they are successful, they make money and flourish. That is their goal. More will logically follow with each new success. Why would they not? What would stop that?

There are such things as tipping points and exponential growth, remember, Burning Man used to not sell out and now it will forever more. You’d almost think something major has changed, if you were paying attention.

Burning Man is now listed as an official Bucket List life event, so the type of person who has to see the Taj Mahal, yet if you ask them about their interest in India, would reply “…India…?”, has to attend. They care nothing about the event, but they must check that box. There is no end to Ravers and festival attendees and Bucket Listers. The media and popular culture has made burning Man very well advertised.

There are limited tickets now. This past couple years even some of the most connected individuals had to make alittle scramble in uncertainty getting tickets.

How can a plug and play business guarantee tickets for both its clients and the help? Without that guarantee of an allotment of ticket, there would be no way to organize and pull off the business run Plug and Play. Just ask the Theme Camps about their direct target sales tickets. They need some insurance that their core people will attend, so what must a business cutting contracts with clients do to insure they get enough tickets? How can the for-profit Plug and Play be sure of having the tickets needed without buying third market tickets and driving up the prices? They can't.

Did those camps, and Will Smith and Grover Norquist buy in the direct sales, did they register for STEP? Ha, if you believe that, you’ll believe Travolta was out pounding rebar for his camp. In other words, in order to run their business catering to the wealthy and famous, we all know that with today’s limited tickets, the Plug and Plays must support scalping. If they need tickets for servants or clients does any grown adult believe they don’t simply buy a ticket for whatever price regardless? How can they get that set-up out on 9 and L running on day one without Early Arrival? Who is out there marking and reserving their space before gate?

The whole thing reeks of payola and scalping. And then the cool burner thing to do is to turn a blind eye to it all, or worse, pretend the rot will achieve enlightenment.

[Partypants]

Well said Lonesome. I got in on Monday, parked my van right before it started to rain and immediately started running from camp to camp covering and securing things. I also started waking up people in larger camps that I needed help protecting their things that would be ruined or blown away, (a couple camps just had too much stuff to cover or not enough places to keep them from getting wet by myself like stereo systems and electric bikes). I kept going in bigger circles until it started pouring. At one point I was in a labyrinth of exactly the same brand new campers. I knocked on 1 then 2 and when nobody answered started knocking on all of them. Finally one window opened and said "what do you want"? I said its about to start pouring and you have a pile of couches and cushions (easily over a half dozen) that need a tarp on em right now. She simply said "they belong to the company" and closed the window. Needless to say, that's where the pile of stuff stayed all week on the corner next to the road and the massive diesel genny that ran 24/7. It was their only decoration. The genny was literally as close to the road/corner as you could get. At the same time as far away from their insulated rvs as possible so it would be as pleasant as peach cobbler for them, but not so much so for the people camping on the other 3 corners. The p&p across the street from us had diesel trucks in and out ALL week bringing stuff in and out including twice dumping black (not grey) water on the playa. The second time the sound was what got everyones attention first. It sounded like a waterfall. We spoke to 3 different BLM officers and one pair of rangers and nothing was ever done. Talk about the privileged shitting all over everything. It was also that p&ps ONLY decor. That all said, I had a great burn and met some awesome people, but at some point if nothing is changed there will be a tipping point. We can call it critical p&ps. (or if that's offensive and not politically correct "critical turn keys".

[snardy]

The plug and plays are businesses run on a business model. If they are successful, they make money and flourish. That is their goal. More will logically follow with each new success. Why would they not? What would stop that?

There are such things as tipping points and exponential growth, remember, Burning Man used to not sell out and now it will forever more. You’d almost think something major has changed, if you were paying attention.

Burning Man is now listed as an official Bucket List life event, so the type of person who has to see the Taj Mahal, yet if you ask them about their interest in India, would reply “…India…?”, has to attend. They care nothing about the event, but they must check that box. There is no end to Ravers and festival attendees and Bucket Listers. The media and popular culture has made burning Man very well advertised.

There are limited tickets now. This past couple years even some of the most connected individuals had to make alittle scramble in uncertainty getting tickets.

How can a plug and play business guarantee tickets for both its clients and the help? Without that guarantee of an allotment of ticket, there would be no way to organize and pull off the business run Plug and Play. Just ask the Theme Camps about their direct target sales tickets. They need some insurance that their core people will attend, so what must a business cutting contracts with clients do to insure they get enough tickets? How can the for-profit Plug and Play be sure of having the tickets needed without buying third market tickets and driving up the prices? They can't.

Did those camps, and Will Smith and Grover Norquist buy in the direct sales, did they register for STEP? Ha, if you believe that, you’ll believe Travolta was out pounding rebar for his camp. In other words, in order to run their business catering to the wealthy and famous, we all know that with today’s limited tickets, the Plug and Plays must support scalping. If they need tickets for servants or clients does any grown adult believe they don’t simply buy a ticket for whatever price regardless? How can they get that set-up out on 9 and L running on day one without Early Arrival? Who is out there marking and reserving their space before gate?

The whole thing reeks of payola and scalping. And then the cool burner thing to do is to turn a blind eye to it all, or worse, pretend the rot will achieve enlightenment.

My guess is that PnP's buy up all the early release tickets at the absurdly high price. Do those even sell out? I would think that the BMorg sells an unlimited number at that price (even if they do not explicitly say they do).

[danibel]

The whole thing reeks of payola and scalping. And then the cool burner thing to do is to turn a blind eye to it all, or worse, pretend the rot will achieve enlightenment.

This.

[GreyCoyote]

At its core, Burning Man is a business. Yeah, they fluff and posture and write epic tomes of hippie gibberish for us plebes to soak in, but when the cash calls the BMORG back line, the phone gets answered. Deals are cut, and business gets done.

And you know what? I am OK with that mostly. Not my place to object. Not really.

Burning Man is a product. If you dont like that product, dont go. Stop bitching and do something better. Make BM a dim memory of a archeic hippie fest that only lamerz and douche-schnozzles used to go to. Make your new thing hugely successful. Make it EPIC!

And after you have managed this, when the Big Rollers start trying to write you checks, lets see how long it takes for that "NO!" to be a yes. Can you do it? Maybe...

Burning Man isnt going to be ruined by a buildup of massive PNPs. Yes, they are parasites but an equilibrium will be reached. In the mean time, have your own burn. Life is too short for telling others how THEY are doing it wrong or getting huffy about THEIR antics.

[maladroit]

The ultimate PnP camp has been there for years.

• Walled compound
• Isolated from the rest of the city
• Very exclusive
• Only those with specific costumes and social status can enter
• Meals provided
• Regular trips in and out of the city
• Armed security
• Drive normal vehicles everywhere above 5mph all week
• Little or no art
• Comprised entirely of paid workers
• All money for payroll, food, accommodations comes from BMORG ticket sales

It's the LEO compound, of course. But it's located out away from the city and didn't break up the streets. I'd say that plug and play camps should be given the option to camp out there too; if they want to control their environment then distance is the best way to keep from getting bothered. And they'll have a built-in security force on their doorstep.

[Partypants]

"Burning Man is a product. If you dont like that product, dont go. Stop bitching and do something better. Make BM a dim memory of a archeic hippie fest." So if only segways are allowed in two years, and vending and mooping is encouraged, we should just stop bitching and not go? How bout...no? If the community wants a kidsville or ice sales we can discuss it and possibly implement it. If we don't want $3000 tickets and early arrival passes handed out like swag to people that blockade half a street and contribute nothing (or worse), we can talk about it. Stop bitching about people looking for solutions. There are 10 principles you know. Maybe we can widdle that down to 3 or 4 too if it bothers you so much.

[Just_Joe]

Burning Man is a product. If you dont like that product, dont go.

I think we're at a tipping point in that regard.
Some here are commenting on less art. Some are commenting on less interaction.
The percentage of spectators who purchased a pricey camp/ticket experience increased this year.
Since population remained more or fixed, the percentage of "bringers" that were unable to attend must have decreased.
One thing that is repeated here ad nauseum it "Face Value or Fuck Off". It seems like many are now saying "Face Reality or Fuck Off"

[media]

[GreyCoyote]

So if only segways are allowed in two years, and vending and mooping is encouraged, we should just stop bitching and not go?

In a word, yes. YOU dont control the event. The BMORG does that. Yes, you are free, and encouraged, to participate within certain limits but you are utterly powerless to change the basic metrics: ticket price, quantity, and who those tickets go to. So by definition yes, if the event morphs into something you dont like, stay away. What choice do you have? Crash the gate, tackle the nearest segway-riding douche and then post your manifesto in center camp? Puhleese...

How bout...no? If the community wants a kidsville or ice sales we can discuss it and possibly implement it.

Discuss it all you want, but do it where it counts. Please share with us the tracking IDs for each and every certified mail you have ever sent to Larry Harvey. Whats that? You never reached out to the guy who could actually bring about the changes you seek? Then you just got plonked into the pile of "loves to bitch but never cared enough to actually spend 4 bucks to get into the hands of the Keepers"

If we don't want $3000 tickets and early arrival passes handed out like swag to people that blockade half a street and contribute nothing (or worse), we can talk about it.

Yes indeed. You have shown you can talk. Congratulations for learning basic diaphram control. Now try this: DO SOMETHING. Talk is cheap. Why not call, write, email the BMORG. Why not be heard where it counts? Do you want an audience in cyberspace to ratify your little rants or do you prefer measurable results in the Real World?

Stop bitching about people looking for solutions. There are 10 principles you know. Maybe we can widdle that down to 3 or 4 too if it bothers you so much.

You dont seem to be looking for a solution to a real problem. There are no "$3000 tickets" nor are EA passes given out like candy. You are simply offended by the presence of "outsiders" who you have allowed to harsh your burney little mellow. You are simply looking for an audience, and trying to gather support for exclusion. If you were looking for actual solutions to real problems you would be engaging in a dialogue far away from here.

All hype aside, I rather agree with your underlying point that PNPs are a suboptimal fit for the culture that is Burning Man. But our agreement ends there. Until you finally get off your keister and engage in a dialogue with the BMORG, you are wasting your time.

TL;DR: The "solution" should be clear. Limit PNPs. Now its time to take that suggestion to the BMORG.

[danibel]

TL;DR: The "solution" should be clear. Limit PNPs. Now its time to take that suggestion to the BMORG.

The feedback form is now open. Though I do like the suggestion of a certified letter to LH. I may do that. Thanks.

[GreyCoyote]

TL;DR: The "solution" should be clear. Limit PNPs. Now its time to take that suggestion to the BMORG.

The feedback form is now open. Though I do like the suggestion of a certified letter to LH. I may do that. Thanks.

Yes!!! THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT! You go, Girl!

FWIW, the only reason I suggested certified mail is so it gets put on someones desk instead of potentially filed in the trash by a staffer. Legally our letters have no effect, but there is a practical aspect: someone paid $5 to send this. It must be important to them. Maybe I should read it! (And of course, the recipient can not later say they never got it/were not informed of the "issue" when you have a return receipt bearing their signature and showing the date and time of delivery).

Next!