Burning Man cranky oldbie meta-rant.

[tongodeon]

Burning Man wasn't as cool as it used to be. I don't mean today's Burning Man - I mean that Burning Man six years ago (1999:Time) wasn't nearly as cool as it was nine years ago (1996:Hellco), my third (?) year. Don't talk to me about whether last year's Burn was "the year it stopped being good": I'd already gotten over getting over Burning Man by

Comments

[tongodeon]

Yes, I'm going this year. Leaving for SF this evening, leaving SF for BRC on Monday afternoon.

[agentelrond]

The scene wasn't what it used to be
The scene is never what it used to be...

[yetra]

Agreement on all fronts. 1996 is the last year Burning Man was really the bomb.

[tongodeon]

Jaded, disappointed Burning Man veterans like you aren't what they used to be. Back in 1995 they really knew how to complain that things weren't like they used to be. These days, burners just can't dismiss Burning Man like they did back in the day.

[yetra]

It's true, I am getting feeble in my old age. What's that? Oh yes, I think it is my naptime now. Scuse me.

[yetra]

People who complain about people who complain about Burning Man aren't nearly as cool as the people who complained about the people who complained about the people used to be, back in the days when they complained that the people back in the day complained less than they did back in the day.

[kraquehaus]

I'd really like to see a study on the affects that drugs have on one's experience. e.g.:

1998: First year. Consumed mescalin, pot, and nitrous. Result - Eye opening experience that totally changed my life.

1999: Second year, but trying to pretend it is going to be like the first year. Consumed high expectatiosn, drug induced memories, and metamusal. Result - Great time. It reminded me of 1998!

2001: Third year. I couldn't go last year kuz my company was pushing a very important build of our code and I had to stay so everyone else could go to burning man. Consumed bitter resentment, I Am Going To Make Up For Last Year, and Everclear (accientally). Result - The bastards who just show up for the weekend totally ruined it for me.

etc....

FYI, those are not my personal experiences.

Also, is BM changing, or is it just the perspective of the viewer?

[tongodeon]

Also, is BM changing, or is it just the perspective of the viewer?

In all seriousness, Burning Man is different than it used to be but so am I. It's about as fair to say "Hey Burning Man You're Different!" as it is for the Greeters to turn me away because I'm taller now.

[kraquehaus]

I think, in all seriousness (which I am not accustomed to), that BM is continually changing, but there are two main types of people out there. One goes to BM and has a life changing experience that is completely new to them. That first time experience is very intense and gets ingrained in their skull. Then they return looking for the same fix and can't possibly find it. Just like a junky trying to recreate their first hit. It's going to be good, but it isn't going to live up to the image ingrained in their skull.

Then there is the other type who has a similar first experience, but then gets consumed by the entire social entity to the point that they have joined the beast and ride it like a rollercoaster. "Sure it's different, but it's still motherfuckin' Burning Man!"

It makes me think of going to a reef to go snorkeling. The consistent change, expectations and various levels of enjoyment...

Ok, that is a very distilled version of things, but you probably get my point...

I'm sure that once you get there...

[ex_doohickey67]

...you'll have a good time.

I hope you do, anyway.