What is Burning Man?

[Patchouli]

I've seen this in Tribe and now here. For those of us who don't know what it is or what goes on, would someone please go into detail about what surrounds the Burning Man?

Thank you,
Shells

[Yoonie]

Man, that is a question that could probably have a thousand answers. I'm going to just refer you to these links. http://www.burningman.com/
http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnRk4iaATo4

[bob]

Oh my Shells this is something you really don't want to miss. You should experience at least once. I could say it is the biggest party on earth, which it is, but it so much more.

[Patchouli]

Thanks you guys, I'll look at these sites.

Ah, would I have to get naked? (yikes) LMAO

[bob]

Everybody is naked. No not really. I have attended twice and both times I said to myself this is the year I go naked. But everytime I change my mind once I am there. Besides, you look like you would be great naked. Oh shit I shouldn't have said that

[QuixoticRepose]

Hey Shells!

Basically, it is a wonderful celebration of the individual spirit and a place for all to come together without any preconceived prejudices. The aim is to encourage a world community that can respect our differences and find common bonds to accommplish far more good for humanity together.

It's a deep concept and a complex organized event. It would be far easier for you to read for yourself.

http://www.burningman.com/

Peace and love baby! *wink*
~T~

[Patrick Brown]

From what I gleaned over the years, never being an attendee myself though, is that: It's a pseudo pretentious hippie festival held in the middle of a desert. Seems to be a lot of giggling girls and gay guys all bent (!) on some free and easy love fest/feast! For all I know it could well be a recruiting ground for whores and rent boys!! I think a bunch of spoilt rich kids are also involved so lets hope they get what they deserve!

Oh and why is it called “Burning Man”? Well I figure it's a Wicka / Pagan kind of thing although as said above somewhat pseudo pretentious. Also when you consider that when tribe first began it was full of pimps, whores, rent boys and perverts the connection with burning man was a cert! So if you want to have a lot of giggly fun, take drugs, get fucked by a bunch of complete strangers and spread some diseases to then die in agony of then it's probably the place for you.

Hey I'm sure it's really 'nice'!

Yes I'm a hippie but not the burning man type.

EDIT:
"Burning Man Festival — First event on Baker Beach in San Francisco.
Conceived by Larry Harvey with help from Jerry James - 20 participants, 8 foot man.

1990 - Burnin Man moved to Black Rock Desert, Nevada - 100 participants attend desert burning - Height of Man: 40 feet."

Source: http://www.internaturally.com/index1.html

[bob]

But you haven't been Patrick. So it is kinda like criticize things you don't know about.

[Lily]

I've never seen it as a hippie event, Patrick, there's much too much tech, in reality, though there are common themes. In fact I've kinda thought of it as Rainbow with tech. For me, it's simply too hot to deal with, I can't take desert heat. Otherwise, why the heck shouldn't people be able to party and relax and meet new friends and dance like mad and feel free from "Babylon" (as I still think of it) for awhile???? The highest and realest points of my life have *all* been at or around such festivals. Lighten up, dude -- it's so unhippie to be so stern and disapproving, isn't it?

[dr.placebo]

Patrick, you have used a lot of reactive language to describe an event that you have not experienced. This sounds to me like a lot of self-judgement rather than an opinion about Burning Man. It also sounds like you don't like parties.

I've been 10 times. I go for the art, the community, the generosity, the music, the dancing, and even for the difficulties. It's not heaven, but it is personally renewing for me.

[saint_al]

/agree.

For those put off by the expense/ difficulty of making the trip... try out a "Regional Burn" instead~ they're being held all over the country under names like "InterFuse", "Transformus", "Playa del Fuego", etc.-
Regional Burns are mini-Burning Man variety gatherings w/ scaled down theme camps, crowd size and cost. You WILL meet people who've attended the Big Burn; talk to them, make decisions from there. Usually held on private land so's you can get nekkid if you like.
(Last Word: sunscreen. Got roasted the first day out last time I was @ Black Rock.)

[^Rhino!]

Patrick, you have an incorrect, stereotypical reactive idea about an event you've never even been to. That speaks volumes as to your credibility. While at Burningman '08, I met fellow geologists, a filmmaker, musicians, and REAL people by the score. And it had absolutely nothing to do with hippies, gays, save-the world or save-the-whales types.

It's probably the largest interactive arts festival in the world, and it's a place people can experience what they have never experienced before, including those things which they may or may not have expected.

I went with no expectations, and came home with treasures of memory and pictures. I've never seen a theme park even come close to what Burningman offers, for me, anyway.

[izmo]

Burning Man is first a chance to escape from your everyday life.

Burning Man is a challenge (it tests you). It is art and expression. It is heart and soul. It is survival. It is extreme. It is what you make it. Nothing is certain. It is unforgettable.