Why I’m not going to Burning Man
14Aug2005 Filed under: JournalishFor me, Burning Man started to feel too much like a Left Coast underground fashion show. In the past I’ve spent too much money on stuff to make me LOOK cool, and not nearly enough money/attention on materials, experiences, etc, that make me FEEL cool … for me, it started to feel like a disbalance between the art and the sheer exhibitionism. For those who are able to maintain the equilibrium, I salute you! But you won’t be seeing me on the playa this year … or, perhaps, ever again. I think if I had a couple of weeks and a few grand to spare at this point I might choose to spend it on new experiences. My plan was to go camping out at the Washington coast for Labor Day weekend, but instead I’ll be going to Montana for a wedding reception for Dre’s sister.
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3 Responses to “Why I’m not going to Burning Man”
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Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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leblanc
August 15th, 2005 at 11:09 am
i think it’s very easy to get involved in the costumery, and for a lot of people that’s the best part. i myself LOVE costumes - i’m one of those people who fully dresses up for Ren Faires and last year my mom even made us custom, full-length period dresses for the Victorian Festival at christmas. when you’re favorite holiday is Halloween Burning Man is the best thing in the world.
however, finding that balance between having fun / feeling good and trying not to compare your self with your unbelievably hot neighbor in the full on tribal gypsy get-up can be really difficult.
there’s a LOT of focus on the external out there, not to mention a LOT of really beautiful people.
i hear you too in that there are only so many days in your life, and for that reason this might be my last year in BRC as well - i can think of a LOT of places and ways to spend the time and $$. why do the same thing every year? i’m going again this year b/c last year was a) too short and b) i was reserved and want to really fully submerge myself in the culture out there this time. next year i want to go to Bali or something instead.
db
August 15th, 2005 at 3:18 pm
Y’know, I contemplated going for a number of years, but i never panned out. For one, living in the Philadelphia area puts me at odds geographically( though it hasn’t stopped friends of mine from going). For another, it’s always the weekend before or after the Philadelphia Folk Festival, which I attend religously. The chronoogical proximity would force me to fly out. Still, I wanted to go and see what it was all about. From the stories I’ve gathered, however, I kinda feel past it at this point. Substance experimentation is far behind me, so much of the fun would go to waste. In addition, the adventure of spending mutliple days in the desert with nothing but what I bring is just too extreme a measure to go to in hopes of some sort of cultural enlightment. Or perhaps, I’m just prematurely developing into a cantankerous bastard.
D) ALL of the above!
Anna
August 20th, 2005 at 6:25 am
You make a good point about a lot of scenes: people spending their money to look cool, or look the part, and not enough money on the experiences that make them feel cool, or typify the scene. Having always opted for the latter, I’ve been a total dork all my life.