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The Tech of Burning Man
Marc Merlin wrote:"Some of you have probably heard of burning man, but most of those
who haven't gone probably don't know that saying that it's just a
bunch of naked hippies meeting in the desert to smoke pot, is a
very unfair description of the event. I have been writing reports of it for the last 4 years now (akin to
the linux show reports I used to do), and my 2005 report is the biggest one yet (1440 pictures, and a fairly complete overview page, showing the highlights) You can also look at the burning man index page (with pictures from the sky), and look at my first 2002 report for a view as a first timer."
Since when does a few pictures of naked hippies become news for nerds and stuff that matters?!?
Uh. Ever consider that the whole Christmas season has its roots in paganism....
I've been on the playa 5 times now 1999-2004. The event is always a little different each year, always demanding and always worth it for me. We've taken people who dive into it like a fish to water and we've taken other people who got intimidated by all the wierd everywhere and just wouldn't leave camp.
I've met smoked up hippies out there, and more burn-outs that I've ever met anywhere else, but at the same time, i've camped with a criminal psycologist that works with violent criminals, a group of cirqeu du soleil clowns, seattle politicians and grade school teachers.
The event is not about what's there, but what you can add to what's there. It's a stone soup sort of gathering and when you have 35,000 people bringing out all of their cool stuff to show off, it's hard to describe. Do anything you want, be a rock star for a week, take on a new identity, exchange bad ideas with brilliant people, or simply spend an evening looking for someone with a high intensity laser to light a cigarette for you. Go be a barista, go play some live action pac-man, go be a bartender, a pole dancer, or a mystic.
Lots of drugs, lots of art, lots of cool tech, lots of sex, but lots and lots of enthusiasm and good will. Someone posted that they'd not seen people get along so well except during disasters - that's not a bad comparison. I think the phrase that's used over and over is orchestrated chaos.
If you don't see the point, don't go. If you're curious and have the cohones to make it out there with a few bad ideas of your own, you'll be welcome.