People who live by the rules might think \"wild\" refers to someone else's life. What would you consider wild? Driving way too fast on a deserted road? Bungee jumping? Skydiving? Riding the tallest rollercoaster? To be honest, those do not seem like very wild activities. One thing that I would consider really wild is running naked at Burning Man. Imagine being able to break out and run free across the Black Rock Desert, where people fully understand how to embrace and celebrate freedom and art. What Is Burning Man? In the late 1980s, Burning Man was created by a group of artists trying to escape the normal hustle of everyday life. They built a city in the desert in a single day, and then in that same day also burned it down to express their concepts of creation, destruction, and identity. Over the years, the ritual festival has grown a lot. Unlike most festivals, Burning Man requires a lot of preparation to spend an entire week surviving in the desert. For those who do spend the week, they get to encounter massive art installations, celebrate with hard partiers, and experience the festival alongside some of the world's top business leaders. Why Should You Attend Burning Man?
Burning Man is an ‘art lover’s heaven’. Every attendee is known as a “Burner” and first timers are called “burning virgins”, and the place encourages full self-expression: body, mind, and artistic integration. There is self-sustained city of temporary structures, extreme cosplay, creative gifts, bachelor(ette) parties, weddings, and everything else you can imagine. At Burning Man, people are dream builders, not just tourists. This kind of challenge and creativity attracts prominent Silicon Valley players including: Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Elon Musk (Tesla), and Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin too. That said, Burning Man draws a full range of people, including: social butterflies, techies, artists, hippies, punks, internet millionaires, rebels, scholars, editors, fire-hoop dancers, explorers, and more. The best part of Burning Man is the chance to disconnect from the internet and to get back to the basics of real social interaction and communication. There is no money in the “burning” economy—you can buy and sell things by dancing, hugging, or trading badges or locks of hair. To fully understand the Burning Man experience, you need to loosen the bonds of your normal social world. When Is Burning Man?
Burning Man takes place every year in the last week of August to the first week of September. Tens of thousands of people assemble at Black Rock Desert of Nevada to build a completely new world, but only for eight days.
After eight days, the world will be burned and the desert will go back to its normal state for the Black Rock City.
In 2018, Burning Man was supposed to be held from the August 26 to September 3.
2018 Burning Man Highlights
I, Robot
2018 Burning Man's theme was “I, Robot.” This centered around the growing presence of various kinds of AI in society.
The theme wanted participants to think about this question: When AI completely takes over the jobs that were done by humans, will we consider that a new period where we can finally be free from manual work?
Temple: Galaxia
Another major focus at Burning Man is the Temple. It is a long-standing tradition and one of the most awaited pieces at the event. The creators of the structure begin planning for the piece and its construction from the previous year, typically funded by the community.
By 2017, 18 Temple works had been created. Each is burned on the final night of the event. The Temple offers a place to confront and release grief, loss, trauma, and pain. Some people come specifically to honor loved ones who have died, bringing keepsakes, photographs, and even ashes to leave within the structure. On the last day, offerings are burned with the Man and the Temple.
The 2018 Temple was called Galaxia, designed by London-based French architect Arthur Mamou-Mani.
\"Galaxia\" allows expression of what we hope for in the unknown - stars, planets, and black holes - and unites us through a galaxy that is swirly and dreamy. In the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, \\"Gaia\\" is a form that is beyond the ordinary; while Galaxia is the primitive ultimate network of the universe that connects all living things.
The Ten Principles of Burning Man:
1. Radical Inclusion - Unconditional inclusion
Burning man welcomes everyone. No one is turned away. Every participant is deserving of respect.
2. A Gift - Unconditional giving
It is a principle to give with no expectation in return, as opposed to an equal exchange of money or goods.
3. Decommodification - Freedom from commercialism
Commercial advertising, sponsorship, and other profit-oriented activities are prohibited.
4. Radical Self Reliance - Self-sufficiency
Participants are encouraged to rely on themselves and find out what they are capable of. Other than ice and coffee, everything must be brought by attendees.
5. Radical Self Expression - Self-expression
The right to express oneself is granted to each individual.
6. Communal Effort - Community spirit
Cooperation is promoted and community structures are maintained.
7. Civic Responsibility - Civil responsibility
Participants have to recognize their responsibilities as citizens and comply with the laws of the land.
8. Leave No Trace = Leaving no trace
All rubbish generated during the event must be taken away when it ends.
9. Participation - Participation
Being a performer or an audience member is of your own choice. You can be active in the community or just watch them.
10. Immediacy — Direct Experience The Burning Man Survival Guide advises us to embrace the immediate experience and not fear discovering that there is more to us than we may have thought. Black Rock City is host to the most challenging part of life; the harsh weather. Not only is there extreme heat during the day, and freezing temperatures at night, but dust storms, tornadoes, and rain can arrive with no warning, even lightning storms. Here is a suggested packing list:
1.5 gallons of water, per person, per day
Reusable water bottle (larger than 1.5 gallons)
Food and drinks
First Aide kit
Sunscreen (high-SPF please)
Warm clothing.
Closed-toe shoes (prefereably boots). Do not wear flip flops or open sandals
Dust mask
Windproof goggles
Hand sanitizer
Trash bags & cleaning supplies for your campsite
Waterproof duct tape (desert repair)
Flashlight or headlamp + extra batteries
Night lights
Lights for your bike
If you're not in an RV: A sturdy tent, warm sleeping bag, & moisture barrier (cold!), Desert temperatures drop sharply after dark
Common sense
Open mind
Sense of humor
Positive attitude
Important Burning Man Rules
Leaving no trace is the most important rule at Burning Man. The Black Rock Desert is a protected national wilderness area that has remained isolated for thousands of years. Each and every Burner has a responsibility to respect and protect this land so that the gathering may continue there.
Black Rock City is not a perfect utopia; your valuables can get stolen.
To ensure the safety of your belongings, you should always lock your items up. Remember this the night of the Man burning. Respect others' personal space and the right to give or withhold consent. This is especially important at Black Rock City, where first-time participants often feel a heightened level of sexual energy. Always keep your safety and the safety of others in mind. Signs are also important tools for emergency services. Each of them must remain in place for the entire event. Additionally, signs are used to guide people to their destinations, as cell service does not exist in Black Rock City. Be mindful not to steal street signs or otherwise vandalize the city. Black Rock City has a principle of gifting and decommodification. This means buying, selling, or advertising in any capacity is strictly prohibited. This is an area for free sharing and exchange, and not transactional activities. Preparing your belongings starts the moment you decide to go. This should include: Burning Man tickets Photo identification (passport or driver’s license) Travel + accommodations to/from Burning Man Participation planning (including any required tickets that are not sold at the venue) Travel documents (flights, hotel reservations, visas) Equipment for Burning Man Photography/Videography gear On the website of Burning Man, you can find the Ticketing information. All details are listed on the website so make sure to check it frequently for changes. The 2018 Main Sale registration opened on March 21st and sales began on March 28th, so this is a good example of how things will happen in the future. For your Burner Profile to be made, the official site will be your answer. As a result, you will need to create a Ticketfly account in advance. Before any registrant and ticket sales occur, a reminder email is sent to all participants. To register for tickets, follow the email link. After registration, go to the purchase page, choose how many tickets you want, pay with a credit card, and submit a mailing address. Delivery International and onsite delivery via Will Call may be included.
After payment, you must wait for your confirmation email.
Ticket sales require a lot of time and effort. If you don’t get a ticket, are unwilling to deal with the chaos of ticket sales, or are indecisive, you will probably have to seek out tickets that have been passed on. Some travel sites may sell tickets. Where You Can Stay at Burning Man You can stay in a camp and sleep in a tent, or choose to sleep in an RV. Registered Camps To apply to a camp, you need to select a site. Before you submit your application, you need to have your camp layout ready. There is a cost to stay at the camp, many have themes, and some do unique activities. Choose according to your interest and apply early so the camps fill up. RV vs Standard Vehicle with Tent Driving into Black Rock City is usually an RV or a regular vehicle with a tent.
RV Living in the Black Rock Desert is tough. RVs can shower and have some comforts like air conditioning, a toilet, a kitchen, and a refrigerator. The downside is that they cost a lot and only a few are available.
Standard Vehicle + Tent There are many people who do this, they drive in and put up a tent.
Compared to an RV, it is cheaper but a lot more uncomfortable. For those wanting to encounter the challenge of Burning Man in its purest form, that discomfort is intentional.
Everyone Should Have a Rebirth at Burning Man
Plenty of people say that Burning Man offered them a fresh start. If you are looking for an incredibly intense experience — the kind that leaves a person with a sense of normalcy stripped away and almost a sense of being remade — then being a Burner is probably a good option for you.
