The Burning Man gets burned early

[AngryAmish]

Here is an interview with the guy who did it.


Does anyone else appreciate the irony of this?

Burning Man Festival (TM) is supposed to be an anything-goes, anarchistic, free-spirit and love, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,,,,,,,,

So someone breaks a rule. Everything does not go according to plan. Then they have they guy arrested.

A long time ago I read a book about various sub-cultures in America. C.O.G.I.C., bikers, etc. Each subculture thinks it stands apart from society and thus are "free" and not tainted from group pressures. Yet each sub-culture has its own rules of conduct that are punished when transgressed. Bikers dress alike, etc. The theme is "I want to be different, just like all my friends."

I for one would be pissed if someone burned my art project early. But I don't fancy myself some artist who rails against society.

[supernova]

1. His style sounds grating and abrasive

but he might be making some valid points.

You only need to look as far as Burning Man's media team to see it's like the Bush media team except with a different purpose. They exercise the same tactics to achieve the same results: to portray themselves in the best lights and to avoid negative media attention.

....
They're entitled to their opinions. I can certainly understand their feelings on it, but at the same time, the newbies who go along aren't from that same pranksterism and one-upmanship that used to be done at Burning Man.

So to them, the entire experience of Burning Man is a passive spectacle. To people who would say they are pissed off because the Man got torched, I say, "Why are you really out there?" If the burning of the Man means something, if it brings them some sort of cathartic connection, then build your own thing and burn it down. Don't be a passive audience member. Cross the line.


I haven't been to Burning Man, always want to, but the problem with any group is that after a while the tendency is to codify and standarize and even sanctify their methods of doing things. The primary focus become self-perpetuation, rather than the original mission. He seems to be rebeling against what he sees as too much of that self-perpetuation.

[Canuckistanian]

2. We're all individuals

Just like everybody else.

[Desertrose]

3. OMG. Good for him!

Yup, I love the irony!!!

I have to say I pretty much agree with everything he's said.

Addis made some good points...I wish Henry Rollins would get him on his show.

DR

[LeftCoast]

4. This guy is an anti-social prick

There is no justification for what he did.

[Mojorabbit]

5. What a prick

He decides what the festival means to everyone who has attended? Is he omnipresent? For those people who were attending and for whom the symbolism of the event really did mean something... I am sure they really appreciate this person's self important actions. I know if I had waited all year to attend, saved my money to get there, took the time off, was having a wonderful time, had renewed my faith in what is possible, and waiting in anticipation for the main event, I'd be severely disappointed and upset.

[dysfunctional press]

6. that's FANTASTIC!! three cheers for the guy who understands it-

:woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:

[LeftCoast]

7. Would you also cheer a guy who set off $1mil in fireworks 5 hours too early?

I don't really care about his artistic statement. The guy is a thief (he stole their time and money) and a vandal.

[dysfunctional press]

8. if it was done at a festival that has it's roots in anarchy- YES!

:woohoo: :woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo: :woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:

:woohoo: :woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:

[LeftCoast]

12. I happen to know some of the founders

They are not anarchists.

[dysfunctional press]

25. do you know them now...or did you know them when it started?

people change.

and not always for the better.

[trashcanistanista]

9. I have been to Burning Man on two

occasions years ago. It has certainly changed into a more mainstream, touristy event, yet the burning part is quite spectacular. I happened to fly into Reno last Tuesday and the plane was packed with burning man attendees coming from on my particular flight Denver and New Jersey and probably other parts of the country. Considering the costs incurred in attending the event (I got in for free at the time I went as I have an acquaintance from the town nearby where the event is held) and the expectations people have of seeing the man raised and burned, despite his arguments and yes I see the irony of it, this guy was a vandal and should have been kicked out. I wonder if the organizers refunded anyone's money who didn't arrive on time or missed the actual burn? I suspect not. Burning Man is a huge moneymaker for the organizers and nothing more or less than any other venue made to make money over a holiday weekend, albeit with more of an edgy "artistic" flair. "Railing against society" - I don't think so. Making a financial killing is more like it.

[RiverStone]

10. ummmm --- having been to Burning Man

From 2000 through 2003 I have mixed feelings about this.

Ironically, life on the playa is all about a society that manages to run as a community without the exchange of $, political structure, or lines in the sand.

Burning Man encourages PARTICIPATION and the Saturday night burn has a different meaning to everybody. For me - when I attempted to give it any meaning at all - it was simply about letting go.

Did the guy commit a crime and steal a little of the show - well, yes. But Black Rock City challenges everybody to think outside the box. Burning Man was losing, IMHO, it's way with pandering to larger and larger crowds - I think now well over 40K and the commercial aspect's influence was more apparent the last year I was there.

I actually think the dude made a great point - albeit in a way that pissed a few people off. It's all about LETTING GO. I'm sure the creative folks on the playa rebuilt something close - and much more than the Man burns anyway this weekend.

I will say -opinion aside- for those that know the taste of playa dust and glow sticks; I do miss running wild, crazy, silly, hot, exhausted, and amazed at what I was seeing and doing.

:+ :party: :bounce:

I imagine I'll return someday

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. This, and some of the responses, kind of remind me...

of the little kid who went stomping through the Tibetan Buddhist mandala.

[bemildred]

13. Asshole, attention whore, blowhard. nt

[cascadiance]

14. Sounds like a number of bad things happening this year (suicide as well!)...

Thought at first this thread was a reference to the first documented suicide at the festival, which also happened in a weird way. Mike Malloy mentioned it last night.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=3&entry_id=19890

People let the guy hang for two hours before taking him down, thinking at first him hanging was an "art piece".

[greyl]

15. I like how a large sculpture of the word "TRUTH" will be engulfed in flames.

Like a cross.

No, it's not looking good this year.

[yella_dawg]

27. Given the context

maybe his hanging was his idea of performance art.

[The Stranger]

16. For some reason, this reminds me of the thread attacking the cop who busted Senator Craig.

What Progressive in their right mind would have a problem with Burning Man?

[greyl]

19. During the interview linked in the OP, the guy makes an interesting case. nt

[The Stranger]

20. Seems inescapable to me that if someone does it like it, they don't have to go.

[greyl]

22. Some say that campus protestors should just shut up and go to class. nt

[The Stranger]

26. Are their classes out in the middle of an uninhabited desert?

[slackmaster]

17. Ironic that someone would be arrested for arson at Burning Man

But things like that keep me laughing.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Ironic that anybody got arrested at Burning Man.

What sort of jackass went to Burning Man and then called the cops on somebody?

[cgrindley]

21. Ha ha ha stupid hippies (nt)

[Gabi Hayes]

29. what's a hippie?

what are you?

[DaveJ]

23. You would never find me at burning man

Because I can't. My life is like a prison and I'm sure the same is true for many others. Even if I ended up there somehow, I probably would consider at least over half the people spoiled brats who get whatever they want.

That said, I agree with the above statements that the arsonist is just an attention whore.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

24. Isn't that sort of the point of Burning Man?

Everybody goes out in the desert to be an attention whore?

[NashVegas]

28. I Think Addis Is a Fucking Hero

Hi, folks. This is the *alleged* arsonist/douchebag/attention whore himself, writing you from Fernley, NV, where I have been chilling out for a couple of days.

Having read your various comments, a few things should be addressed. First, this operation was extensively planned well in advance, and the number one thing to Black Rock Intelligence was that NO ONE be hurt. If you people actually knew us, you’d know that we have an extensive background in doing things exactly like this. In fact, we were on the ground for some thirty minutes before ascent, scoping the scene and clearing people in order to minimize any possiblity of injury to others. We were aided by several people who were recruited on the playa the night of this burn (BRI has no idea who they are, so don’t bother asking).

Second, the operation was planned in conjunction with the lunar eclipse because Black Rock Intelligence knew that another event at the trash fence would draw the bulk of lunatics to it, rather than to the Man. In fact, one of our peripheral operatives aided in getting as many people to the fence event as possible to help BRI achieve its goal of zero injuries.

Third, word went out across the playa days in advance that Black Rock Intelligence was pulling this op. This word continued to go out right up to the moment that our chief operator began the arduous climb up the guide wire. As you can all see from the results, BRI performed flawlessly in this regard.

We could give a fuck less what you all think of us for doing this. Most of you are newbies who have been drawn in by the semi-religious nature of the event, or maybe just the easy drugs and easier sex. You have nothing to offer the event other than your fucking money and obedience.*** You spend the rest of your lives in mortal fear of everything that insurance companies tell you to fear, and pretend that you’re free and clear because you spend four days at a desert bacchanal where spinelessness is not only encouraged but genetically replicated for implementation in successive generations. In short, you are the swine of which Thompson spoke. Get over yourselves.

Some of us live quite well without fear. Doing so requires the ultimate in what Burning Man used to represent: personal responsibility and individual liberty. That’s all been lost in the last decade of Burning Man’s history. Consider this operation a history lesson that was desperately needed.

One final note: Black Rock Intelligence has been permanently disbanded. All other operatives have made the ultimate sacrifice by swallowing their L-pills to avoid being captured alive. I am the sole surviving member of BRI and ask that you respect my mourning period for those who gave their lives so that this operation was a complete success.

Paul D. Addis
Fernley, NV

A couple of years ago, an über-hip blogger posted their experiences of Burning Man, and it was exactly what's described up in the bolded part. Ooh, how cool, all the drugs. Ooh, how cool all the easy sex. It was cool of the most vacant variety.

[Gabi Hayes]

31. ''Addis'' an asshole, sounds like, to me.

who knows what really happened?

why would you believe him?

[NashVegas]

32. Why Shouldn't I?

..

[Gabi Hayes]

34. I don't know. you tell me.

he sounds like a self-righteous, publicity-seeking ahole

your turn

[bemildred]

35. If he could give a fuck less, then why explain to the newbies how clueless they are?

He sounds like an asshole to me, I remember the type well from the sixties.

[NashVegas]

37. Yeah, Well

I have a certain fondness for assholes who are too smart for their own good.

[bemildred]

38. OK, I can live with that. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

30. MEN, WOMEN , AND CHILDREN ARE BURNING IN IRAQ.

Be Angry. But be ANGRY AT SOMETHING WORTHWILE!

Fuck ME. You're angry that a WOODEN STRUCTURE that has meaning for you is more important than ACTUAL HUMAN BEINGS???

Fuck You. Fuck You and the Rock You Crawled Out From Under.

Be PISSED that someone burned your COUNTRY: (Iraq) early.

Think about something other than your indulgent, anything-goes let's have our fun in the desert much ado about nothing.

The IRONY is that people like you place more importance in your corporate sponsored naked-fest in the desert more than you do about people being killed in ANOTHER desert for no reason at all.

I'd have burned your wooden piece of shit MYSELF.

[Chovexani]

33. Because it's impossible to be angry at more than one thing at once?

I suppose I shouldn't have cursed out the cable company for not activating my internet properly because MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN DON'T HAVE CABLE INTERNET IN IRAQ. :eyes:

Get the fuck over yourself and take your self-righteous bullshit elsewhere. Many (most?) of us at DU are fully capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. I'm sorry that you evidently can't.

[BlooInBloo]

36. Just like the Puritans. They don't want freedom, they just want freedom for THEMSELVES.