connectivity. community. understanding. and a dash of party :)

To hang with the most creative people on the planet.

Art, community/kindred spirits, friends I see once a year... and another opportunity to be the Bedouin!

>others spend all year preparing for and worshipping the event.

That's an interesting perspective. "Worship". For me, the term worship implies feeling something TOWARDS something greater than ourselves, not actual participation and creation. If you're right in the thick of an event, do you still worship it? Or is your participation in its creation and existence, your BEING a part of the event, preclude feelings of 'worship'?

I go to Burning Man (this'll be my 5th year) because it's an opportunity for challenge, and growth, and pushing my boundaries, and seeing all my friends from across the country. I go because I really enjoy the INTENTION of Burning Man-- to come together and build a temporary city built upon simple, respectful, common-sense ideals. To participate in something that's utterly unsustainable in the "real world".

To be a part of a place where every person is there on purpose, and there's been so much time and effort and energy put towards preparation and getting there and enjoying oneself. That's a really cool feeling, and it's very connecting. Anyone you pass on the streets of Black Rock City immediately has stuff in common with you. Just for fun, stop and ask random people what their favourite thing so far this year has been....or what was their greatest challenge getting to BRC or preparing for the playa. You'll hear a bunch of interesting stories.

All of the above.

When I first started to find out about Burning Man I wanted to go because I was fascinated by the images and stories. I just had to discover this brave new world.

Now that I've learned a bit, I find that the reason is not so much about discovery as it is invention. I'm more involved with creating something. It's a good feeling.

And a bit of party is certainly welcome!

Beer and titties.

Oh, c'mon people...

Everyone knows that BM has become THE destination for fringe and counter culture ever since Wired magazine wrote an article about it.

Doh!

Once I read the Wired article, I knew I had to go.

I also go for the endless variety of penis art. I just cannot get enough dick inspired art. There is more DickArt and ArtFuck on the playa then in H.R. Giger's whole catalog. Dick just never gets old on the playa.

I also go kuz BM is one of the few places where I can pick a fight, kick some ass, and not get arrested. I love to kick ass on the playa. I also had my ass handed to me by this scrawny little chap, but that was OK too. Part of the fun.

... and the pretty little tattooed girls that put meat hooks in their back and chest and fly in Thunderdome ... I just get high, high , HIGH watching that stuff. Just like having a big rubbery one but through my whole body... I shiver just thinking about it. ... and if a hook rips through ... and it sometimes does ... a masterpiece.

I go to fuck shit up.

I go to make big fire.

I go to ensure that there is no right way to do it.

I go to be wrong must of the time.

I go to push social boundaries.

I go for the single serving friends I will never see again.

I go to balance the bad side of the bell curve.

I go because Flint is right; titties n beer n platform boots are the new parfait.

I go because the bacon is so much better on the playa.

No worshiping for this heathen atheist. I'm going for the physical and mental challenge. To be deeply inspired by the art. To get totally weird with 50,000 of the most awesomely weird people in the world. Most importantly though, to make a difference in other people's lives. I'm so excited!

the primary reasons for me are: creative outlet, community, learning.

The main event and its offshoots are the few outlets available for some of the creative ideas I develop. Plus, the parameters of the event give me new ideas I want to try out and so much fertile ground for experimentation. It can really be a playground if you're a creative person. I also enjoy problem solving, figuring things out and the extreme conditions give many opportunities to do that. In addition, I love being around such an incredibly knowledgeable group of people. Burners are amazing resource, offering tips and insight on everything from structures to electronics to recycling water. There's always so much to learn.

The community aspect is very important as well. It can be both nurturing and challenging. There aren't many places or events that allow you to give freely to strangers, require you to think of the whole before or as well as yourself, and push you to continually engage with so many different kinds of people. I'm always intrigued by the continual balance of individuality/self-reliance and community/gifting. I also find that you learn a lot about yourself through the context of others' actions.


>> "others spend all year preparing for and worshipping the event."
As an aside, BM is the kind of event that really does require you to plan and prepare all year. Particularly if you are creating something (shade, art, a camp, whatever). I don't feel that's the same as worshiping the event. it's more a necessity. If you think there's even a remote chance you're going (or attending regionals) it's always in the back of your head... "oh, that would be a good XYZ for burning man". Whether that's gear or gifts or costumes or travel plans or technology.

I'm an avid music/art/camping festival'er so this is my type of thing. I've never been overseas before and this will be my first time, as well as my first year at BM. I'm just hoping to hook up with some REAL people, MY people, and escape this drudgery that is everyday life. Apart from that - I don;t know what it means to me because I've never been!