As I am a loser, and I check my emails on weekends, I opened my inbox yesterday to find nothing of consequence. Rather, I was faced with the usual barrage of newsletters and updates that are usually thrown promptly in the electronic trash can. There was one, however, that caught my eye and compelled me to open it and read on. The Burning Man email newsletter is generally one that gets read over all of the other crap as Burning Man is a festival/community that has a special place in my heart. I am always interested to see what the Burning Man community is up to in the world, and to feel very jealous that I am able to go this year.
From the email, I was directed to a blog post, and then a forum which discussed the ticketing crisis. It's hardly news that demand has now outgrown supply of tickets available for Burning Man, and the ticket-lottery system cock up of the organisers this year has left a lot of people without tickets and with a sour taste in their mouths. The comments following this blog, which was written by organisers to explain the ticketing system were quite disappointing and really exuded an attitude that most Burners would be ashamed to claim. Accusations of selling out, being mainstream, disregarding veteran burners and most of all slamming virgins (people who have not been to a burn before) were being flung around righteously.
The main theme that seemed to underlie all of the criticisms was a sense of entitlement that many burners seem to have, regarding their place at burning man. As a participant driven event, there is no denying that those burners who contribute and participate by building theme camps and art displays are the lifeblood of the burning man experience, however, what right above all others do they have to secure tickets? To have been attending Burning Man for years and then find yourself unable to go this year would no doubt be a very saddening and horrible fact, understandably. The issue though is the lack of humility amongst many disgruntled burners who have found themselves ticket less this year. Has the event gone mainstream just because more people know about it and want to be a part of it? Perhaps. Although the shameless hypocrisy of many commenters makes one chuckle. They are the people who will wax lyrical about how Burning Man now sucks, because it has sold out, and that it was much cooler back when they first started attending. Their rant will then end with a hopeful request for any spare tickets that people may have lying around. Oh yeah? To the festival that sucks?
Burning Man is not a right that people have, nor the be all and end all of a person's year. Those who truly embrace the spirit of the Burning Man movement know that it is a way of life, and a mentality, rather than one week of the year. The festival itself is incredible however. It is a Utopian community that exists because like minded people gather in the same place at the same time for the same purpose. It is about escapism, indulgence and excitement. The festival itself is a holiday; and an opportunity to open ones mind and meet amazing people.
The principles of Burning Man, such as self expression, sharing, communitarianism, self reliance etc. are all ones that people can strive towards in the default world, and are not confined to Black Rock City for a week. While the experience is an unforgettable one, and one that I hope to share in once again very soon, I hold no animosity towards the quick people who snatched up the tickets and have the opportunity to go this year; be them virgins or long time veterans. To those forum posters who rant and rave about how crap burning man has become: just smile. Bitterness, arrogance and self-righteousness aren't part of the Burning Man spirit. You may just have to venture further this year to get your yearly vacation and your dose of weirdness, but for now just be happy for those who do have the opportunity to be part of it this year, and get in early next time!
***And for those who were disappointed that they couldn't be a part of the Burn in Black Rock City this year, there are ample seed burns all over the world. If you really want to be a part of the Burning Man movement, contribute to your local regional burn and share the love.
I would give my left nut (errr..) to go back to Burning Man again! The longer time goes on, the more fondly I remember it, and the more I want to go back there. So my original sentiments stand, check your privilege and be grateful that you get to go to one of the nicest places on Earth. Get over the attitude, because a million other people would love to go in your whinging place.
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