BurningMan Mutant Vehicles Photo Album

AFTERBURN REPORT 2008 Licensing Mutant Vehicles for movement at Burning Man.

WAGON TRAIN — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:39:48 GMT

AFTERBURN REPORT 2008 The primary mission of the Black Rock City Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV) is to license Mutant Vehicles for movement at Burning Man. Mutant Vehicles contribute to the surreal thread that binds Black Rock City together. They are "art on wheels": radically, stunningly, (usually) permanently, and safely modified motorized vehicles. DMV Overall, Department of Mutant Vehicle (DMV) operations were a success in 2008, and both DMV volunteers and mutant vehicle owners reported having an easier and more fun-filled time at the DMV. About this photo... About this photo... The DMV itself was strategically relocated to the corner of the Esplanade and the Center Camp Keyhole. This spot provided plenty of space for mutant vehicles to congregate as the DMV Hotties processed their licenses, making for a great show of lights for people mingling around Center Camp. There was also the addition of a very large, very bright LED sign and a sound system to make sure no one missed the DMV. This added to the fun, and helped more than a few people navigate home through dust storms! There were a few small changes that made significant impact on the processing at the DMV. The first was a change in hours of operation. The DMV opened and closed one hour later than in previous years, allowing for more time to process vehicles for night licenses. The second was a new system for taking pictures of the mutant vehicles. For nearly as long as there has been a DMV on the playa, there have been issues with taking pictures of mutant vehicles. In 2008, this problem was finally solved. Technology caught up to our requirements, and the DMV's need to have a functional, stable picture-taking system was finally filled. The rough playa surface made traversing Black Rock City a challenge for many vehicles. The DMV received reports of broken and stuck vehicles, and heard about owners who wouldn't dare take their vehicles out. The result was that some vehicles did not make it to the DMV, so there were fewer vehicles registered and driving around the event. The DMV staff will take this into consideration in the future, with the intent of keeping the number of registered vehicles up. The DMV licensed over 600 vehicles for the playa in 2008. The quality of the mutant vehicles on the playa was truly outstanding, and a testament to the incredible creativity of our participants. http://afterburn.burningman.com/08/playa_safety/dmv.html

Pebbles and BamBam's Gentlemen's Club.....Car

BamBamLasVegas — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:08:46 GMT

It's been to the playa 2004, 2005 2006 (it was there but broke down early in the week), 2007 and 2008. I have my permission letter to bring it for 2009. It's base vehicle is an old Taylor Dunns electric golf cart, which, I didn't know at the time of building it, it was not the best choice, but after putting thousands of dollars into it, there's no turning back. I burned out 2 motors and popped the tops off of a few batteries and burned battery cables before I finally got to where it seems to function well. The last motor I got was a 10 hp motor specially built for my needs. I explained my need to the sales person at D&D Motors in New York. He "totally" could not understand what in the heck I was doing with this "so-called" golf cart. So I sent him photos. Plenty of them. My next conversation with him was he said "I get it!! I know EXACTLY what you need". Expensive, but it works very well. I also upgraded my battery cables to the size used for welding......they are very thick and can handle it. It has black lights and sound system for pole dancing. I use a Honda 2000 genny "on board" to power the lights and charge the batteries while driving. If too many people get on at one time, I stop the vehicle and let eveyone enjoy the music and pole dancing. When the crowd dispurses, I continue on my journey. It also has an upper deck for VIP lap dancing, amoung other uses. The front stage (with the 2 stripper poles) and the two sideboards (on on each side of the vehicle) have 10" swivel caster wheels (12 total) from Harbor Freight. I have to replace 2 or 3 of the wheels per night due to the rugged turain and extreme weight of passengers. The front "fence" on the vehicle is for safety of the people on the ground that we approach. The "fence" discourages them from trying to enter the vehicle from the front. It forces them to enter from the side/s. Little did I know that "fence" would become such an important part of the dancing

Pebbles and BamBam's Gentlemen's Club......Car

BamBamLasVegas — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:04:40 GMT

Information on other photo.

Pebbles and BamBam's Gentlemen's Club......Car

BamBamLasVegas — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:02:12 GMT

Green Eyed Lady

Gdonna — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:53:59 GMT

Mutant vehicle owned by Donna Pennington. Built by Donna Pennington, Big Dale and Rogeman. Reno, NV

Ganesh- The Copper Cruiser

Rock — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:47:34 GMT

Judy lighting up the fire cannon

Madame Astrolabe

Oroc — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:03:19 GMT

by Clayton, Christian, Cristina, and the Conscious Monkey Clan from Jackon Hole, Wyoming ... with the dopest sound-system on the Playa

Madame Astrolabe and the Lady Sassafras

Oroc — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:01:52 GMT

Sister ships, with twin sound-systems that will be linked as One in 2009 ... the Madame Astrolabe (Conscious Monkey Clan) and the Lady Sassafras (Crown Collective)

Tequila from a mermaids tit

Oroc — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:59:55 GMT

Mermaid of the Lady Sassafras

Oroc — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:57:42 GMT

The bowpiece of the Lady Sassafras, created by King Richard Krewe of Satyrs/ Crown Collective. Tequila and other tasty beverages stream from her succulent breasts ...

The Lady Sassafras Playa-Riverboat.

Oroc — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:55:40 GMT

Built from a Hurricane Katrina relief bus, with 40% of the steel salvaged from the streets after the storm, the Lady Sassafras shows her Mississippi heritage in her lines. Inspiration also comes from the Peruvian ayahuasca shaman/painter Pablo Amaringo's paintings of the mythical Amazonian river-boat, the Acerpunta. Built by the Crown Collective in New Orleans, driven to the Playa, and then re-constucted on-site, The Lady Sassafras represents both the FUNK and her home-town spirit on the Playa - Les Bon Temps Roule!

Lady Sassafras in motion

Oroc — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:50:14 GMT

Built by the Crown Collective, New Orleans, La.

Dust City Diner, 2008, Michael Brown & David Cole

WAGON TRAIN — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:53:42 GMT

MOTORIZED VEHICLE DRIVING RESTRICTIONS All vehicles shall be operated in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and stipulations, and in accordance with supplementary rules developed by BRC. In accordance with 43 CFR 8343 requirements, all motorized vehicles will be equipped with adequate front and rear lighting during night hours, and must be operating in a safe manner. Subpart 8343—Vehicle Operations § 8343.1 Standards. (a) No off-road vehicle may be operated on public lands unless equipped with brakes in good working condition. (b) No off-road vehicle equipped with a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device, or producing excessive noise exceeding Environmental Protection Agency standards, when established, may be operated on public lands. (c) By posting appropriate signs or by marking a map which shall be available for public inspection at local Bureau offices, the authorized officer may indicate those public lands upon which no off-road vehicle may be operated unless equipped with a properly installed spark arrester. The spark arrester must meet either the U.S. Department of Agriculture—Forest Service Standard 5100–1a, or the 80-percent efficiency level standard when determined by the appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practices J335 or J350. These standards include, among others, the requirements that: (1) The spark arrester shall have an efficiency to retain or destroy at least 80 percent of carbon particles for all flow rates, and (2) the spark arrester has been warranted by its manufacturer as meeting this efficiency requirement for at least 1,000 hours subject to normal use, with maintenance and mounting in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation. A spark arrester is not required when an off-road vehicle is being operated in an area which has 3 or more inches of snow on the ground. (d) Vehicles operating during night hours, from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, shall comply with the following: (1) Headlights shall be of sufficient power to illuminate an object at 300 feet at night under normal, clear atmospheric conditions. Two- or three-wheeled vehicles or single-tracked vehicles will have a minimum of one headlight. Vehicles having four or more wheels or more than a single track will have a minimum of two headlights, except double tracked snowmachines with a maximum capacity of two people may have only one headlight. (2) Red taillights, capable of being seen at a distance of 500 feet from the rear at night under normal, clear atmospheric conditions, are required on vehicles in the same numbers as headlights. http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=421f607732a26f7c5022abf4c6e820a7&rgn=div6&view=text&node=43:2.1.1.8.111.4&idno=43

Electric Bike

jarjar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:55:04 GMT

this is a "bicycle". see the saddle bags? there is one on each side. they are for the big ole honkin batteries. once, the owner let the batteries run down deep playa. he couldnt ride it back to his camp because of the weight of the bike plus the weight of the bike rider made that impossible to ride as a ordinary bike.

~ Over 2000 Volunteer HOTTIE hours yearly ~ Service to the community since 1997 ~

[Error generating content] — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:16:18 GMT

2008 DEPARTMENT OF MUTANT VEHICLES On Playa Mutant Vehicle Approval: In service to the Burning Man community since 1997, your 2008 Department of Mutant Vehicle volunteer “Hotties” are working as a team to review the unique and radical Mutant Vehicle (MV) creations for approved operation on the playa. Licensing a Mutant Vehicle is a multi-step process with Fluffer, Pitboss, Photographer, Hotties and Tech all working together so that a select group of Black Rock City’s population can amaze the community with visual and interactive motive creations The “Fluffer” volunteer is the first Hottie most applicants will meet. With an emphasis on customer service, the Fluffer will greet and direct incoming applicants to the right resource, answer questions and queue up the creators for the “Pitboss” table, where the review gets underway with the paper work side of the process. The invitation is reviewed by the “Pitboss” who pulls the vehicles application and places it in the “Photographer” Hottie’s queue box and the applicant is asked to take a seat in the DMV waiting area until the Hottie Photographer pulls their application, calls out for the applicant, and accompanies the creator to the MV in order for images of the Mutant Vehicle to be taken and recorded in the DMV / Black Rock Ranger computer database. The Hottie Photographer returns the application to the Pitboss table and places it in the Hottie "review team" queue box and the applicant is asked to again take a seat in the DMV waiting area until they are called. The volunteers ask that you please be considerate of us and stay in the DMV waiting area until called. We greatly appreciate your cooperation by staying in the cool shade verses the alternative of Hotties going out in the sun to find you and your machine. In a short time a team of reviewing Hotties will pull your application from the queue box, call out for you and perform a visual inspection of the Mutant Vehicle for: (1) Adherence to the original MV application design (2) Review of the Applicant’s safety considerations (3) Mutant Vehicle meets current licensing guidelines (4) Lighting is provided for night time operation (5) Inspection of Flame Effects Approved Mutant Vehicles will then have a number assigned and license issued and applied by the Hotties on the MV and associated trailers. Vehicles not approved for operation will be asked to return to the applicants camp for static display or in some cases, removed from the event to an impound area adjacent to the gate. We want the community to understand that the only alternative to having a DMV was the elimination of Mutant Vehicles from the event. Hotties are here to support your ability to create and showcase your motive display. Please help us, help you: • Arrive for your first inspection during the day. Even if only applying for night operation. • Bring your gate invitation to assist us in quick processing. • Stay in the DMV waiting area until called. Please don’t return to your vehicle. • Be ready for your review with a completed mutation and all trailers attached. We do not inspect works in progress. • Be prepared for the process to take time and allow for the possibility of delays due to a number of applicants arriving at the same time. Some Hotties are volunteers behind the scene. The “Tech” Hotties process the on playa information and images into the electronic database that already contains your personal and Mutant Vehicle information supplied during the pre-playa process. A “Shift Lead” supervisor Hottie is an experienced volunteer who is responsible for opening and closing the DMV, ensuring adequate staffing levels are met and troubleshooting licensing issues referred by inspecting Hottie teams. The Shift Lead is primarily concerned with the smooth running of the DMV, and for caring for front-line staff members. The Shift Lead reports directly to the Hottie of the Day. The Hottie of the Day (HOTD) is also an experienced hottie, well-versed in the year-round and on-playa operational responsibilities of the DMV. The HOTD's primary responsibility is to ensure the Shift Supervisor is supported in troubleshooting processing problems as a link in the chain of command, above the Shift Lead. The Hottie of the Day is essentially the top-level operational supervisor for resolving significant issues. The DMV Department Manager is the person ultimately responsible for all aspects of the DMV year-round. On-Playa, they are responsible to interact with other departments and with outside agencies, and to ensure the DMV generally is performing the function it is set up to do. Self Safety Inspection: The Department of Mutant Vehicle volunteers ask you to provide for safety in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of your mobile creation. Applicants are to consider community safety to be as important as the visual exhibition and to continually self asses and correct safety cautions such as: • Sharp edges, trip or bump hazards, pinch points, fall protection, splinters, and protruding hazards. • Open or unprotected pulleys, drive chain / belt, gears, shafts, motors, and assemblies in motion. • Structural integrity of platforms, stairs, ladders, handrails, sub-frames, and overhead erections. • Points of ignition and ignitable materials, fuels, passengers and carry on fandangos. • Functioning Steering, brakes, and avoidance / navigation lighting. • Vision restrictions, unusual size or irregular configuration requiring the assistance of walkers and guides during movement. Movement of vehicles during Burning Man is limited and Mutant Vehicles operators have been given a privileged and select opportunity that relies on their understanding and agreement to continually consider community safety. We ask that you exhibit common sense safety precautions during your licensing review and practice them continually during the event. Enforcement of Driving Protocols / Black Rock Ranger Intercept: The Ranger Intercept team patrols the event with vehicles and bicycles and addresses issues of reckless driving and speeding by both licensed and unlicensed vehicles. Intercept has two specific tasks. Primarily, Intercept addresses vehicle safety concerns within Black Rock City. Their other key mission is to convey how seriously burning Man takes vehicle safety to the various Law Enforcement Agencies who would otherwise take matters into their own hands. The most important point in understanding about Intercept is that if the Rangers don’t handle it someone else will. Intercept removes or escorts vehicles from the playa and the city, either to long-term parking near the Gate or back to their camps. They have at their disposal a fully operational tow truck for moving vehicles to long-term parking. The Intercept team uses rotating amber lights on the vehicles to keep track of each other and to establish a visible presence as a deterrent to speeders or reckless drivers when a visible presence is required. Intercept's maintains a deep-playa outpost and is linked to the Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV) in order to share logged instances of repeat vehicle offenders with DMV, or request information on numbered mutant vehicle license stickers. If participants are unaware of DMV rules and regulations, Rangers educate them and/or send them back to the DMV or back to camp if the DMV is closed. If vehicles / participants repeatedly violate DMV rules, the vehicle may be sent to Long-Term Parking outside the Gate. It is important to note that the Black Rock Rangers are not law enforcement personnel. However, because Black Rock City stands at the intersection of several legal jurisdictions (represented on the playa by the Pershing County Sheriffs Department, the Washoe County Sheriffs Department, Bureau of Land Management Law enforcement, Nevada State Highway Patrol, and other Nevada state agencies), Black Rock Rangers are at times required to interface with law enforcement personnel for mutual aid and assistance with safety related issues. Vehicles at Black Rock City and DMV History: From 1993 through 1996 driving at Burning Man was unrestricted and art cars were popular forms of artistically expressive means of transportation. The Department of Mutant Vehicles was created in 1997 to address the very real challenges associated with driving during Burning Man and was seen as the only alternative to banning outright the movement of all vehicles at the event. Black Rock City underwent a transformation as the community discovered that relying on cars to get around had reproduced a too-familiar world of personal convenience. People were told to park their cars at their campsites and leave them there. Motorized Vehicles were designed out of Black Rock City (BRC) transportation, so that a pedestrian and bike culture could emerge. The Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV) was created so that Mutant Vehicles could be (1) approved for entrance into the event (2) inspected (3) licensed and (4) registered for authorized operation as required by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Special Stipulations and the BRC Supplementary Rules. In response to the growing number of safety problems of vehicles being operated in an unsafe manner during the event and the complaints generated as a result, the driving regulations are strictly enforced. Note that these regulations do not reflect a mandate imposed by LEOs (law enforcement organizations). Nor do they represent collaboration with LEOs by the Black Rock Rangers. The decision to place a greater emphasis on long standing regulations is in response to the innumerable complaints expressed by participants both during the event as well as input submitted throughout the year around issues of safety. The rules for driving on the playa have not changed. The amount of emphasis being placed on those regulations has. It is about taking responsibility for ourselves when we need to. BLM Special Stipulations: Operation of motorized vehicles within the event area is prohibited. Exceptions to this prohibition are: mutant vehicles registered with BRC, BRC staff and support, medical, firefighting, motorized skateboards (go-peds) with or without handles, and disabled permitted vehicles. All vehicles shall be operated in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and stipulations, and in accordance with supplementary rules developed by BRC. In accordance with 43 CFR 8343 requirements, all motorized vehicles will be equipped with adequate front and rear lighting during night hours, and must be operating in a safe manner. Such use shall be restricted to open streets within the City. All Mutant Vehicles and staff vehicles registered with BRC, shall display their authorization so that it is visible to the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.” BRC Supplementary Rules: Pre-registration approval for Mutant Vehicle entrance into the event is MANDATORY. Applicants must comply with all DMV pre-registration guidelines and deadlines. Online Mutant Vehicle pre-registration is required and includes reading and understanding all information about Mutant Vehicles on the playa, filling out the online application and agreeing in advance to honor BRC driving protocols. Black Rock City Driving Protocols 1) Do not drive a motorized vehicle without a DMV license. 2) Abide by all applicable federal and Nevada state laws for road safety. 3) Stop immediately upon being hailed by any BRC Staff member, Black Rock Ranger, or law enforcement officer. 4) Drive at a speed of 5 mph or less, if kicking up dust, or in hazardous situations such as tight crowds. 5) Mutant Vehicles must come to a complete stop and remain stopped during whiteouts. 6) Give the right of way to pedestrians, bicycles, and emergency services vehicles. 7) Don't drive in pedestrian-designated roads, on walkways, the Esplanade or in Center Camp. 8) Don't drive if you are chemically impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 9) Mutant Vehicles must create a clear field of vision for the operator and have walkers if the vehicle is large or has a limited field of vision. 10) Have safe procedures for loading and unloading passengers and always come to a complete stop before anyone gets on or off the vehicle. 11) Do not drive erratically (swerving; stopping and starting quickly). 12) Mutant Vehicles are subject to the same sound guidelines as theme camps. Sound systems over 300 watts are only allowed to play music at an unrestricted volume in the large-scale sound areas of Black Rock City. When within the city streets, and camping areas they are to turn down the sound to an appropriate level. They must also be conscience and respectful of art installations on the open playa and stationary entertainment venues by reducing the volume as they approach. Mutant Vehicle Criteria: Burning Man defines a Mutant Vehicle as a motorized conveyance that represents a visually stimulating, whimsical, beautiful or surreal image, combined with a highly participatory community service enhanced by motion. Mutant Vehicles exhibiting limited performance or community service potential should not represent a dominant visual image of a commercially manufactured base vehicle. Mutant Vehicles to receive licenses are typically radical creations that are enhanced by motion. They combine a visual display, high participation factor and community contribution that exceeds the personal benefit of motive transportation. Mutant Vehicle licenses: All licensed Mutant Vehicles will be given either a Day and/or a Night license. Licenses will also be designated for Street or Playa driving, based on the size of the vehicle. Day or Night designation is based on many factors, including what purpose the vehicle serves, lighting and how it is implemented. Mutant Vehicles that incorporate flame effects may also receive a Flame Effects license. Any trailers that are a component of a Mutant Vehicle must be licensed as well. Support vehicles will be reviewed independently. DMV Hotties are HOT!!! The Black Rock City Department of Mutant Vehicles offers unique and exciting HOT volunteer opportunities. The DMV licenses motorized mobile works of creative expression otherwise known as Mutant Vehicles. Now that's HOT. DMV Hotties perform a variety of tasks on and off playa including on-line pre-registration processing, and on playa inspection, licensing and processing of Mutant Vehicles. Volunteering with the BRC DMV is not recommended for individuals who have never experienced Burning Man before. But please stop by and say hello if you think you might be interested in playing with us next year!

June 30th is the last day to submit an application

[Error generating content] — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:56:05 GMT

~~~~ DMV Hotties ~~~ Service to the community since 1997 ~~~ Vehicles at Black Rock City From 1993 through 1996 driving at Burning Man was unrestricted and art cars were a popular form of creative and expressive transportation between far reaching points of the playa. After a participant was severely injured in an auto accident in 1996, the Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV) was created to address the challenges associated with driving during Burning Man and the growing number of people and problems associated with vehicles being driven in an unsafe manner during the event. The development of a DMV was seen as the only alternative to banning outright the movement of all vehicles and a way to preserve the opportunity for operation of Mutant Vehicles at Burning Man. Black Rock City (BRC) underwent a transformation as roadways were created and the community discovered that relying on cars to get around had reproduced a too-familiar world of personal convenience. Motorized Vehicles were designed out of Black Rock City transportation, so that a pedestrian and bike culture could emerge. The Department of Mutant Vehicles was created so that Mutant Vehicles could continue to operate and be (1) approved for entrance into the event (2) inspected (3) licensed and (4) registered for authorized operation as required by the BRC Supplementary Rules and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Special Stipulations. The driving regulations do not reflect a collaboration or mandate imposed by law enforcement organizations. The decision to place a greater emphasis on vehicle operation is in response to the innumerable complaints expressed by participants both during the event as well as input submitted throughout the year around issues of safety. The rules for driving on the playa have not changed. The amount of emphasis being placed on those regulations has. It is about taking responsibility for ourselves when we need to. Deciding which vehicles get licensed and which ones don't is one of the hardest volunteer responsibilities in the Burning Man community. Not every vehicle that applies for a license can (or should) be licensed. The survival of Burning Man relies in part on its participants embracing the pedestrian and bicycle nature of the event and leaving the car culture in the default world. Yearly the DMV receives over a thousand applications for an invitation to bring a Mutant Vehicle. Approximately 500 are licensed each year, an amount which strikes a balance with the static art displayed on the open playa, safety and pedestrian concerns. Burning Man is actively encouraging people to get away from their reliance on motorized vehicles for transportation and travel by foot or bike. Mutant Vehicles to receive licenses are typically radical creations that are enhanced by motion. They combine visual display and high participation factor for a community contribution that exceeds the individual benefit of motive transportation. If personal convenience and transportation appear to be the primary goal and motivation, it is unlikely that the applicant’s vehicle will be licensed for operation at Black Rock City. BLM Special Stipulations “Operation of motorized vehicles within the event area is prohibited. Exceptions to this prohibition are: mutant vehicles registered with BRC, BRC staff and support, medical, firefighting, motorized skateboards (go-peds) with or without handles, and disabled permitted vehicles. All vehicles shall be operated in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and stipulations, and in accordance with supplementary rules developed by BRC. In accordance with 43 CFR 8343 requirements, all motorized vehicles will be equipped with adequate front and rear lighting during night hours, and must be operating in a safe manner. Such use shall be restricted to open streets within the City. All Mutant Vehicles and staff vehicles registered with BRC, shall display their authorization so that it is visible to the rear of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.” BRC Supplementary Rules Pre-registration approval for Mutant Vehicle entrance into the event is MANDATORY. Applicants must comply with all DMV pre-registration guidelines and deadlines. Online Mutant Vehicle pre-registration is required and includes reading and understanding all information about Mutant Vehicles on the playa, filling out the online application and agreeing in advance to honor BRC driving protocols. Black Rock City Driving Protocols 1) Do not drive a motorized vehicle without a DMV license. 2) Abide by all applicable federal and Nevada state laws for road safety. 3) Stop immediately upon being hailed by any BRC Staff member, Black Rock Ranger, or law enforcement officer. 4) Drive at a speed of 5 mph or less, if kicking up dust, or in hazardous situations such as tight crowds. 5) Mutant Vehicles must come to a complete stop and remain stopped during whiteouts. 6) Give the right of way to pedestrians, bicycles, and emergency services vehicles. 7) Don't drive in pedestrian-designated roads, on walkways, the Esplanade or in Center Camp. 8) Don't drive if you are chemically impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 9) Mutant Vehicles must create a clear field of vision for the operator and have walkers if the vehicle is large or has a limited field of vision. 10) Have safe procedures for loading and unloading passengers and always come to a complete stop before anyone gets on or off the vehicle. 11) Do not drive erratically (swerving; stopping and starting quickly). 12) Mutant Vehicles are subject to the same sound guidelines as theme camps. Sound systems over 300 watts are only allowed to play music at an unrestricted volume in the large-scale sound areas of Black Rock City. When within the city streets, and camping areas they are to turn down the sound to an appropriate level. They must also be conscience and respectful of art installations on the open playa and stationary entertainment venues by reducing the volume as they approach. Mutant Vehicle Criteria Burning Man defines a Mutant Vehicle as a motorized conveyance that represents a visually stimulating, whimsical, beautiful or surreal image, combined with a highly participatory community service enhanced by motion. Mutant Vehicles exhibiting limited performance or community service potential should not represent a dominant visual image of a commercially manufactured base vehicle. Mutant Vehicle licenses All licensed Mutant Vehicles will be given either a Day and/or a Night license. Licenses will also be designated for Street or Playa driving, based on the size of the vehicle. Day or Night designation is based on many factors, including what purpose the vehicle serves, lighting and how it is implemented. Mutant Vehicles that incorporate flame effects may also receive a Flame Effects license. Any trailers that are a component of a Mutant Vehicle must be licensed as well. Support vehicles will be reviewed independently. Street licenses allow Mutant Vehicles to operate on city streets (with the exception of pedestrian-designated streets) and on the open playa. A Playa license allows a Mutant Vehicle to operate ONLY on the open playa of Black Rock City. Mutant Vehicles with a Playa license may NOT be operated on BRC streets except on their way to the playa from their camp (using the most direct entry). Day licenses allow Mutant Vehicles to move around Black Rock City during the daytime. Night licenses allow Mutant Vehicles to move around Black Rock City at night. To receive a night license, Mutant Vehicles and trailers must be fully illuminated and should define the exterior portions, body projections and trailer connecting bars for visual recognition and avoidance. Mutant Vehicles must fulfill the intent described in the approved Pre-registration application. Mutant Vehicles should not mimic any type of emergency services or law enforcement vehicle. Mutant Vehicle trailers are issued licenses separately and must be present during inspection. Mutant Vehicle licenses shall be applied on a visible lower left-side section of the rear of the vehicle . Mutant Vehicle Safety The applicant is solely accountable for all Mutant Vehicle safety cautions and considerations and is legally responsible for all aspects of safety; including but not limited to the Mutant Vehicle's design, engineering, construction, passenger capacity, safety procedures, operation and structural / mechanical integrity. Applicants must provide for and maintain functioning brakes, controllable speed, and adequate lighting. Mutant Vehicle Criteria Guidelines A small but visible percentage of Black Rock City’s population participates by becoming part of the Mutant Vehicle community. Mutant Vehicles can be almost as hard to describe as they are to define in a pass or fail check list, so broad interpretations based on liberally defined perimeters allow creations of varying community contributions. The primary considerations based on the BRC Supplementary Rules developed for Mutant Vehicle are that they exhibit one or all features of being highly participatory, visually stimulating, and whimsically beautiful or surreal contribution to Black Rock City. The DMV makes every effort to only license vehicles that offer something exceptional to the community. Art Cars in contrast to Burning Man Mutant Vehicles have become so common in creation and everyday life that "Obsessive Collection", mosaic style or graphic painted vehicles that still retain the base shape of a commercially manufactured conveyance may not be considered Mutant Vehicles. Art Cars, similar to custom cars or motorcycles have unlimited venues for display due to their ability to drive on public streets. Does the dominant image project a desire to intrigue or just travel? Consider the limited community contribution of Mutant Vehicles that lack a basic strong conceptual direction towards visual or participatory elements and project a dominant base vehicle as foremost a means of travel and a viewing platform. Many examples of licensed vehicles in past years are no longer considered Mutant Vehicles as the community and DMV raises the bar and our expectations. Mass Produced novelty vehicles are not Burning Man Mutant Vehicles. Shriner mini cars, motorized bar stools, cooler trikes, and mini motorcycles represent typical mass produced vehicles that are not Burning Man Mutant Vehicles. With so many participants applying for licensing of truly one of a kind Mutants, who wants to see a vehicle not created from the mind of the applicants or one that just copies someone else’s idea to the point of saturation and familiarity. Exceptional mutant’s command undistracted community interest when operating and their contribution is enhanced by motion and motive power. Consider attributes exceptional Mutant Vehicles. Does it draw a crowd just sitting still and does every eye and person gravitate towards it? Does the creation defy duplication? Successful Mutant Vehicles are likely to convey an image from a distance and be enhanced by motion. Minimal occupant Mutant Vehicles should offer unique images other than a vehicle where the dominant feature and shape is still a golf cart, ATV, motorcycle or other mass produced conveyance. Custom built vehicles that primarily communicate engineering craftsmanship in details that are appreciated up close and while the creation is not moving, may benefit the community more as a static display. Mutant Vehicles can overcome base vehicle recognition with a high level of community involvement by combining mechanical craftsmanship, with social interaction and transportation for the entire community’s enjoyment. The following vehicles are not allowed, under any circumstances, to drive in Black Rock City. Operating these vehicles at Burning Man can result in the vehicle being impounded, fined by law enforcement and/or ejected from the event. Non-Mutated ATVs, Quad Runners, Go-Carts, dune buggies, Motorcycles, Dirt Bikes, three-wheeled motorcycles of any type or design, or other off-road-type recreational vehicles. Note: Motorcycles that are a participant's method of transport to Burning Man (and are on their way in to Black Rock City and their camp to park) are the exception. Vehicles only stripped to the frame and engine or street vehicles with minimal changes or temporary decorations. Low riders, classic cars, custom motorcycles, monster trucks, and hot rods (there are other venues for these vehicles to be appreciated) Vehicles that have not met the DMV licensing criteria and unlicensed Mutant Vehicles. Wind-Powered Vehicles that Do Not Conform to the Wind-Powered Guidelines. Kite-sailing vehicles, land yachts, and wind-powered vehicles that have a fixed mast and weigh more than 50 pounds are not allowed to operate within Black Rock City. Flame Effects If the Mutant Vehicle incorporates flame effects, it will need to go through an additional inspection. These licenses allow Mutant Vehicles that incorporate flame effects to use these effects on the playa. Scooters Certain types of motorized scooters, skateboards and go-peds with or without handles are allowed to traverse Black Rock City without needing a license. Small, stand-up (no seat), one-person style scooters, (e.g. Go-Peds) are allowed at Black Rock City, but they are subject to the same rules as any other motorized vehicles – drive 5 MPH and have front and rear lights at night. DMV volunteer “HOTTIES” represent community do-ocracy in support of mutant vehicle creators.

2007 The Green Man ~ Solar Death Ray 3000

[Error generating content] — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:39:59 GMT

Height of Man: 40 feet standing on a 32-foot tall Green Man Pavilion resembling mountains and rolling hills, containing 30,000 square feet of exhibition space, combining art, earth sciences and technological innovation. Location: Black Rock Desert, Nevada Participants: Saturday (September 1, 2007): 47,097 Theme: The Green Man In 2007, Burning Man had an art theme that proved to be as life-altering as it was inspiring. The Green Man ideal truly became part and parcel of the Burning Man Project's core, effectively overhauling how the organization functions, the infrastructure of the event, and the day-to-day lives of the staff … not bad for an art theme. Though we'd made efforts at the departmental level for years, Burning Man's entire year-round operations went "green" in earnest, wherein the staff upped recycling and composting efforts, and thoroughly re-thought and reduced the environmental impact of Burning Man's headquarters. On-playa operations also saw dramatic changes, including running the event's generators on bio-diesel, and powering the Man Pavilion and the Man's neon with a massive solar array (the panels from which would ultimately be donated to and installed for the Gerlach School and Pershing County Hospital). Black Rock City was made up of far more participants than ever - 47,097 people living in over 1,431 camps, occupying 37,500,000 square feet of camping space (20% more than in 2006) - who were drawn to this incredible experience in the desert, and spurred by a theme that gave voice to a paradigm shift that desperately needed to be examined. That voice was expressed through the science, art and creative expression of tens of thousands of participants seeking change in how we relate to the natural environment. The Alternative Energy Zone (AEZ) showcased the Solar Death Ray 3000, a carbon free mutant vehicle created for community cooking with the power of 25,000 btu's of concentrated solar power. http://afterburn.burningman.com/07/

2007 and increased emphasis is placed on licensing fully mutated vehicles over minimal contributors

[Error generating content] — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:27:01 GMT

The DMV ran well and had very few real problems this year. The DMV had a significant increase in the number of pre-registration applications for mutant vehicles , and we licensed a record number of vehicles to drive on the playa. The most notable change for the DMV this year was our prominent placement on the Esplanade, at 6:30. Our placement resulted in two major benefits: (1) It allowed for ample room for Mutant Vehicles (MVs) to park and be reviewed, and (2) it created a nightly spectacle of MVs in a place that everyone could enjoy the show. We look forward to bringing Black Rock City the same show next year. We streamlined some of our licensing processes, and were internally more organized this year than in 2006. Paperwork and reference list improvements made it possible to license more vehicles in the same amount of time as last year. There were also a few challenges. Taking On-Playa MV pictures remains a challenge, and we will be carefully reviewing the picture process for 2008. We look forward to continuing to grow our ranks and refine our pre- and on-playa processes. We encourage anyone with concerns or suggestions to contact us. Submitted by, BlueCross http://afterburn.burningman.com/07/playa_safety/dmv.html Rangers and Law Enforcement Although the Rangers continued their efforts to interact on positive terms with law enforcement and other outside agencies, 2007 saw a spike in citations issued by Bureau of Land Management law enforcement officers, out of proportion to the increase in population. The Rangers also observed that some law enforcement seemed out of synch with the unique nature of the Burning Man event. This development was difficult when compared to relations in 2006. Rangers will continue their efforts year-round, on and off the playa to address participant concerns in this area and to promote a balance between safeguarding the community and allowing for free expression and peaceful enjoyment of the event by all. Intercept For the past several years, the Rangers have made vehicle safety a priority. The Intercept team operates nightly on the playa to interact with, educate, and when necessary, eject vehicles that are operating outside the guidelines of safety on the playa. Although thinly staffed this year, the Intercept team managed to be quite effective. The efforts of this team in educating participants are clearly paying off. http://afterburn.burningman.com/07/playa_safety/ops.html

Enforcement of Driving Protocols

[Error generating content] — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:53:29 GMT

Black Rock Ranger Intercept The Ranger Intercept team was established in 2004 for patrolling the inner playa with vehicles and bicycles to address issues with unapproved / unlicensed vehicles, golf carts, ATVs, scooters, motorcycles, go carts, and automobiles driving through the city and on the open playa, reckless driving and speeding by both licensed and unlicensed vehicles and vehicle-related injuries Intercept has two specific tasks. Primarily, Intercept addresses vehicle safety concerns within Black Rock City. Their other key mission is to convey how seriously burning Man takes vehicle safety to the various Law Enforcement Agencies who would otherwise take matters into their own hands. The most important point in understanding about Intercept is that if the Rangers don’t handle it someone else will. The Intercept program is framed in a manner to present itself as a safety plan to Law Enforcement Agencies in a format they can understand. Rangers must have a lot of leeway and discretion to address issues, without being constrained by protocol. Intercept works closely with Khaki, Dirt Rangers, other Ranger departments, and DMV to help keep our community safe. Intercept removes or escorts vehicles from the playa and the city, either to long-term parking near the Gate or back to their camps. They have at their disposal a fully operational tow truck for moving vehicles to long-term parking. The Intercept team uses rotating amber lights on the vehicles to keep track of each other and to establish a visible presence as a deterrent to speeders or reckless drivers when a visible presence is required. In addition to staff vehicles, the Intercept squad has bike-mobile Rangers. Bikes are used for tracking a vehicle discreetly without increasing a driver's tendency to speed due to the perception that they are being pursued and are an essential tools for tracking vehicles within the city streets. Intercept maintains a deep-playa Outpost Zero and is linked to the Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV). Rangers can share logged instances of repeat vehicle offenders with DMV, or request information on numbered mutant vehicle license stickers. If participants are unaware of DMV rules and regulations, Rangers educate them and/or send them back to the DMV or back to camp if the DMV is closed. If vehicles / participants repeatedly violate DMV rules, the vehicle may be sent to Long-Term Parking outside the Gate. Patrol Black Rock Rangers It is important to note that the Black Rock Rangers are not law enforcement personnel. However, because Black Rock City stands at the intersection of several legal jurisdictions (represented on the playa by the Pershing County Sheriffs Department, the Washoe County Sheriffs Department, Bureau of Land Management Law enforcement, Nevada State Highway Patrol, and other Nevada state agencies), Black Rock Rangers are at times required to interface with law enforcement personnel when event permit obligations require. In addition to event rules such as the no vending policy, prescribed speed limits, and ban on firearms, Black Rock City is also subject to the same laws that govern public conduct in any Nevada city. Black Rock Rangers work cooperatively with law enforcement groups in dealing with criminal conduct such as theft, assault, domestic violence and child abuse. Every year Black Rock Rangers call on law enforcement to help with a very small number of evictions or to deal with violent behavior. Rangers share logged instances of repeat vehicle offenders with DMV, or request information on numbered mutant vehicle license stickers. If participants are unaware of DMV rules and regulations, Rangers educate them and/or send them back to the DMV or back to camp if the DMV is closed. If vehicles / participants repeatedly violate DMV rules, the vehicle may be sent to Long-Term Parking outside the Gate. All Rangers are empowered to prevent vehicles from endangering pedestrians, bicyclists and campsites and can establish radio contact with the Intercept Team if necessary. Rangers watch for vehicles operating unsafely in Black Rock City and attempt to Ranger the situation. They are encouraged to use their best judgment in determining whether a vehicle is posing a safety hazard. The guidelines for vehicles given to Rangers are: Vehicles should travel at a safe (around 5 mph or less) speed; dust trails are a good indication of excessive speed Vehicles should not operate during whiteouts Vehicles should not operate on the esplanade or pedestrian walkways (except for law enforcement) Vehicles should not be operated while under the influence Vehicles must be licensed Rangers do not chase vehicles. They are instructed to radio other Rangers with the location and trajectory of the vehicle to see if anyone else is ahead of it, or just yell ahead to participants to get them to stop the vehicle. Intercept is available to assist Rangers if needed for vehicles on the inner playa. The protocol for advising a vehicle operating unsafely is: Educate - simply advise operators on the guidelines for safe operation and explain that community safety is important Escort - for repeat offenders or bad excuses, offer to escort a vehicle - to the DMV for a sticker, or back to camp for the night Eject - repeat offenses or bad violations of guidelines can earn a vehicle a trip to “Long-Term Parking” outside the city gates, where it can safely stay for the rest of the event VEHICLE Stickers The Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV) and the Artery issue stickers to place on vehicles registered and permitted to operate on the playa. There are several types of stickers that allow operation in 4 different conditions (the various stickers are on display at Ranger HQ and the DMV for reference): Day - permitted to operate during daylight hours Night - permitted to operate during night hours Open playa only - no operation on the streets of the city Flame effects - permitted to operate pyro effects! Artist are permitted to drive to and from art installations with paper licenses that define a limited window for operation. License Stickers are permits for vehicles, not drivers. Ranger training establishes the Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV) as responsible for licensing Mutant Vehicles for driving at Black Rock City, and for communicating with and educating the Mutant Vehicle/Art Car communities, year-round, on issues that affect them. Ranger Behavior While the Art of Rangering includes approaches unique to each individual, there are basic rules of conduct that characterize Rangers. Un-Rangerly behavior includes: Losing self-control Abusing special privileges Misusing the community trust Sexual Harassment An act of violence Sexual misconduct Failing to report an emergency Knowingly neglecting Ranger responsibilities When on duty, you must be sober Ranger Skills Ranger Skills are the techniques employed when engaging in conflict mediation and resolution. F.L.A.M.E. is an easy way to remember how to approach and mediate an encountered problem. F stands for ‘find out’. First, always assess any situation. Stand back, and observe, and be aware of safety issues, your own, and the participants. Then, find out what is really going on in a given situation. There will always be at least three sides, both of the individuals involved and of course an impartial third perspective. Add this to your perspective, which encompasses the general opinion of all the participants and the ideology of the Burning Man Project. L is for ‘listen’. Listen to all parties, ensure that all have had a chance to be heard, and give their input. Be aware that at times you may have to use your judgment as to who is really involved. Concentrate on the parties who need your direct assistance, and make time for everyone who has legitimate input. A is for ‘analyze’. Once you have gathered all the information that you can, analyze it with your partner. Active deliberation on your part is required, and is backed by the Ranger organization. You have come forward and have been trained, and are an integral part of our team. We have faith in ourselves and in you. This is at the core of Rangering. M or ‘mediation’ then becomes the act of allowing the participants involved to come to the best way to resolve their situation, and for you to make suggestions as a neutral third party. Determine which participants involved may have room to budge, and those whose interests are such that they cannot give in. This is often not based on right and wrong. Work with the parties involved until an outcome is reached that would seem to function well. E is the ‘explanation’, and completes your ‘FLAME-ing’ of the situation. This actually is not the end. Within the Burning Man event, while things change constantly, the explanations you give will be repeated and re-requested not only by the parties involved, but by other participants later on. The Rangers find themselves as walking town criers of old reborn on the Burning Man landscape. While maintaining the confidentiality of the individuals involved in any given situation, you will be asked by neighbors to explain the outcome, later that day probably again, that evening, the next morning. Conflict Resolution Everyone has a “Good Reason” for what he or she does When body language and words come into conflict, your words will lose every time Use “we” and “us” to generate a connection with people Never order someone to “CALM DOWN!”; calm them down by your performance The less ego you show, the more control you will have over the situation Be aware of your “trigger words,” and your “trigger issues” Never lose self-control (walk away before you do); defer to your partner. Public relations are KEY Use active listening skills Ask them to think about it (and give them time to do so) Treat everyone with equal respect Don’t get suckered into debates; ACT! Let them have the last word, as long as you have the last act Communication Communication is a complex process. Different perceptions may cause difficulties in the transmission of ideas and information. Here are the seven sins of interpersonal communication and ways to avoid them: It’s Greek To Me!: Your communication can be effective only when received in a language the receivers can understand. You need to speak not in your own language or style of thinking but in the language and style of thinking of the receivers. Understand their educational level and their demographics and communicate to them accordingly. Overload: Even when communicating in the language of the receivers, you can still lose them if you overload them with too much information or too complex ideas. Use the KISS principle (Keep It Short and Simple) Biases and Assumptions: Examine your possible biases and personal assumptions about the issues you’re communicating. Disclose your own interests and agendas. The receivers will quickly tune out if they suspect that you have a hidden agenda. By being authentic, you will gain credibility, which is essential for effective communication. One-Way: Communication is not just speaking. It’s both speaking and listening. One way communication is no communication at all. Make sure to listen and understand the others’ needs and points of view. Ambiguity: If your message is not clear, or if it can be interpreted in more than one way, it will leave the receivers wondering about what you mean. Make sure that your message delivers a clear, unambiguous meaning. Wrong Timing: In certain communications, timing is everything. For example, a message of praise and recognition should not come too late after the fact, or it will lose its effectiveness. The “Better Late Than Never” advice may be true, but a timely message is the best. Negative Attitude: Most people don’t like negative communication and bad news. Passive, weak, or negative communication will turn people off. Even the most negative, critical, or difficult communication will be better received when presented in a positive, affirmative style. Instead of saying, “This is a terrible idea,” why not say, “Tell me how you can make this idea work.” Playa Safety Council The Playa Safety Council (PSC) is chaired by the Director of Community Services. The PSC consists of ESD Dept. Head, Gate Managers, LEAL Manager, all members of the Ranger Council, Exodus Manager, and DMV Manager.

CONSENSUS, HIERARCHY, AUTHORITY AND POWER

[Error generating content] — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:38:27 GMT

CONSENSUS At every level of its organization, Burning Man employs consensus decision making. Consensus means that that everyone who is party to a discussion agrees to a course of action. For a decision to be adopted, everyone must give his or her consent. This doesn't mean that everyone agrees that a particular decision is the best decision. It simply means that everyone will go along with what the group decides. Consensus works best in small groups of people who are qualified to form opinions upon the subjects at hand. All those who have information that is pertinent to a decision have a responsibility to the group to bring this information forward and, in advancing a thesis or point of view, to adduce relevant facts and reasoned arguments. Consensus building only works when people share basic values and operate in a climate of trust that is rich in shared information. On the other hand, if most members of the consensus forming group do not hold strong opinions concerning an issue or are indifferent to a topic, it is a likely indication that the decision might better be delegated to an individual or smaller group. Although consensus forming can, at times, be time consuming, it is by no means an intractable process. If one or two people cannot agree with the group's proposed decision, this sometimes indicates that an issue is more complex than understood by the larger group. If an agreement cannot be reached it may be necessary to postpone a decision until more research is done or to give members more time to reflect on the values or principles involved. In practice, however, this seldom happens if some form of guiding policy already governs the issue at hand. Difficulty in achieving consensus might also mean that those who disagree with the majority do not understand the entire issue or fully appreciate the context of the larger group's view. In these instances, it is usually very difficult for one or two people to hold out against the reasoned arguments of a majority. Burning Man Senior Staff may sometimes postpone decisions on a question or extend a period of discussion, but it has never failed to reach a consensus. Consensus formation is, in fact, the most natural way of making decisions. Within very small groups, it can proceed informally and without a group leader. In larger groups, however, a discussion leader or chairperson, is necessary. Amid the ebb flow of discussion, different individuals may take a lead in presenting ideas or in proposing or summarizing emergent areas of consensus. However, it is the responsibility of the chair of a meeting to ensure that everyone is heard, and that a final decision has been made and recognized. Although consensus formation requires unanimity, it does not involve voting. Group members may be polled in some fashion at the conclusion of a discussion to guarantee that a consensus has been achieved, but opinions may not be represented in the form of a vote. A vote can be described as an opinion that has been commodified. It can be swapped and traded for advantage, or even held up for bid. A vote may be used to leverage power or buy victory through division. Consensus, by contrast, induces more immediate relationships and operates by constantly seeking a meeting of minds. Voting, typically, is most useful in larger assemblies where consensus making is unwieldy. No decision in Burning Man has ever been arrived at by a vote. Consensus making is our fundamental policy. HIERARCHY AND LEADERSHIP Even within informal groups, leaders naturally arise. Certain individuals will take charge of particular tasks or areas of responsibility. When they succeed, other group members will begin to respect their judgment. Their advice in these matters will be sought out and their opinions will be heeded. Finally, if they show themselves willing to communicate and coordinate what they do in a way that serves the group's mission, they will acquire real authority. This never means that they exercise complete autonomy. Their actions should always be subject to the judgment of a supervisor or review of their peers. It does mean, however, that they have gained the right to make decisions about how a task is to be accomplished and that everyone involved should respect this right and consult with them concerning matters that affect their mission. This sorting out of responsibilities spontaneously occurs within groups. However, as the mission of any organization increases in complexity, it becomes necessary to formally define leadership roles. At this level of responsibility, leaders become managers. It is the mission of a manager to create policy, delegate authority, and supervise those to whom authority is given. Managers must take a higher vantage point in order to regard a larger picture. They must look toward a horizon in time, anticipating the long-term implications of decisions. They must also gain a comprehensive view. Actions or decisions may be in conflict with one another or misallocate valuable resources. A higher point of view allows a manager to survey the whole of a plan and integrate a group's efforts. Lastly, the most important task of a manager is to remind everyone of their mission: to articulate this higher and wider perspective so that people can understand their roles. As our organization has grown, consensus formation has spread outward to incorporate more resources and a wider base of knowledge. At the same time, as decision-making responsibility has increased, management roles have expanded upon a vertical axis. When fitted together, these two systems form a model of how Burning Man's organization operates. Several different levels of consensus formation now exist within Burning Man. This includes the various sub-committees and staff groups within each department. Informally, it also includes theme camps, artist groups and service organizations within the greater community of Burning Man. As this consensus process has expanded, the management structure of our organization has also elaborated itself. Within each department there exist many sub-committees that are managed by senior staffs. Above these groups is Burning Man's Senior Staff, with its various sub-committees and consultants. Senior Staff assembles Burning Man's budget, manages its ticket sales and day to day finances, and is ultimately responsible for formulating policies that govern all operations of the organization. Finally, positioned above Senior Staff is Black Rock City LLC. This policy making body supervises salaries, hiring and firing, all major financial decisions, and all policy decisions that immediately affect the survival of Burning Man. Larry serves as the director of Burning Man and chairs both of these groups. At each of these successive levels, managers assume more responsibility and, therefore, exercise more authority. They also confront problems at a higher level of generality. It is helpful to imagine this model as a series of horizontally based networks or platforms, each equipped with its own subordinate threads of delegation. Moving through the center of these horizontal platforms is a vertical axis of managerial leadership. Each consensus making body is like a bead that's threaded on a string. At this level of organizational complexity, the responsibility of managers begins to increase. Managers must now learn to move within a greater system of decision making. This means they take responsibility for understanding or participating in decisions that are made at a higher level and are ready to convey these policies back to their group. They must also engage in a consensus process with their peers. They should solicit opinions about how policies can be realized. Finally, they have a responsibility to ensure that policies are thoroughly explained to people who are working on the tiers below. It is never sufficient to tell people that "higher ups" have issued a decree. A manager should always be ready to explain the reasoning behind a policy and carefully listen to what people have to say. After all, these folks are actually doing the work that policy is meant to guide. Their knowledge base may very well exceed one's own. Looking down on things from a higher perspective can allow a manager to see the big picture. But managers should not imagine that this useful point of view transforms them into bigger or all-seeing persons. A generalized view can obliterate crucial details. Managers should always be ready to imagine that they don't really know what they're talking about. At every phase of a downward progression in a hierarchic system, from policies made on high to actions undertaken at the ground level of operations, managers must also be willing to reconsider policy. Policy concerns the "what" and "why" of things. But how a thing is done can directly affect a policy. If policies are dysfunctional, or if someone discovers better solutions to problems, the plan can be changed. When a proposed change affects a policy, a manager should convey this information upward. Within any healthy organization, information should continually recycle in this way. It should be carried downward and upward, as if borne through the organization by a convection current. As the connective link in this process, managers must do more than understand policy, create consensus within their policy making peer groups and communicate these policies to the people they supervise. They must ensure that everyone is communicating and feels able to contribute. Within Burning Man -- at our event and within the organization that produces it --anyone at any time can be a leader. AUTHORITY AND POWER It is a common mistake to confuse authority with power. A manager may possess the authority to make a decision. However, this does not mean that power in any way emanates out of that person. The previous model affords a good way of thinking about this. The thread connecting consensus-forming beads can be imagined as a river, and this river forms a channel for power. The immediate link to each station along its path is an individual leader or management group vested with authority. This authority can be imagined as a kind of water wheel. A manager has the recognized right, when making a decision, to dip this wheel of authority into the power stream in order to accomplish work. However, since power does not actually belong to a manager, he or she may be legitimately criticized by anyone for defaulting in responsibilities. Authority and the respect due it can be justly said to belong to the person who exercises it. This right is earned by virtue of the responsibilities they have chosen to assume. But power is not the property of anyone. It is merely the motive force which authority draws upon. In most organizations, the power stream is made of money. In democratic politics, it is ultimately enforced by the ability to secure votes. Only rarely, and for brief periods of time, does it grow out of brute force or from the barrel of a gun, and only gurus may be said to rule through a purely personal manifestation of power. In Burning Man, however, all power proceeds from a gift. It was as a gift that Burning Man was born. None of the resources that Burning Man now commands would ever have existed if dozens, hundreds and, finally, thousands of people had not been willing to give to that gift. If the founders of Burning Man had asked participants to contribute to a private project dedicated to personal ends, who would have followed them? The Burning Man, as he is placed in Black Rock City, stands positioned at the radiating center of the most interactive and creative community on earth. Yet none of this could possibly exist if Burning Man had not remained supremely and symbolically a gift that has engendered other gifts. This insight contains a very basic lesson for anyone who would act as a leader and manage others. A manager may preside over a meeting and address his or her fellows with an inspiring vision. A moment later, however, the talk might shift to other topics. Suddenly this leader may possess only a modest opinion based on limited information. His or her paddle has been lifted from the stream and others now lead the discussion. Leadership often consists of knowing exactly when not to invoke authority. The above description of how our organization works describes a sort of factory that is run by the power of gift giving, and it is our duty to manage this machinery well. However, we should always remember that the single most common mistake people make when they misuse these tools of management is to somehow forget their first lesson. If your actions don't respect the spirit of a gift; if you are jealous or possessive of power, if you withhold information, if you blame other people, if you refuse to give credit, and if you ignore the abilities of others -- then you are probably abusing your authority. All of our work together is in service to a gift, and this should always be regarded as the source of the power that holds us together. Larry Harvey

Conflict Resolution Network

[Error generating content] — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:05:39 GMT

© This CRN material can be freely reproduced provided this copyright notice appears on each page. http://www.crnhq.org/ Have you ever had a conflict and wished you could have handled it better? Conflict comes about from differences - in needs, values and motivations. Sometimes through these differences we complement each other, but sometimes we will conflict. Conflict is not a problem in itself - it is what we do with it that counts. It is important that we do something because whether we like it or not, conflicts demand our energy. In fact, an unresolved conflict can call on tremendous amounts of our attention. We all know how exhausting an unresolved conflict can be. It is not always easy to fix the problem but a great energy boost can come when we do. Resolving conflict requires skills. What are Conflict Resolution Skills? They are the skills that enable us to bypass personal differences and to open up to possibilities. The skills of CR draw us closer to other people, as we jointly search for fair solutions and balanced needs. It involves a powerful shift from adversaries to co-operative partners. These skills are also the tools for building friendship and intimacy. A whole new level of trust develops as people learn "we can work it out". Relationships become more fulfilling and supporting. The Conflict Resolution Network has put together a toolkit of 12 skills - you can reach in and take out what fits for any occasion. They are: The Win/Win Approach, The Creative Response, Empathy, Appropriate Assertiveness, Co-operative Power, Managing Emotions, Willingness to Resolve, Mapping the Conflict, Development of Options, Negotiation Skills, Third Party Mediation and Broadening Perspectives. Conflict Resolution skills teach the psychology of effective communication. 1. Win win approach Opponents or partners The win/win approach is about changing the conflict from adversarial attack and defense, to co-operation. It is a powerful shift of attitude that alters the whole course of communication. One person consistently applying a joint problem-solving approach can make the difference. You, the reader, will probably be that person - redirecting the course of the conflict. Therefore, the first person you have to convince is yourself. Until we give it attention, we are usually unaware of the way we argue. We often find ourselves with a knee-jerk reaction in difficult situations - based on long established habits combined with the passing mood of the moment. When challenged, we experience separateness, disconnectedness from those around us - a feeling of "you or me" - a sense that there isn't enough for both of us and if one person is right, then the other person must be wrong. Often we haven't taken even a moment to consider what is the best approach in the circumstances. While people battle over opposing solutions "Do it my way!", "No, that's no good! Do it my way!", the conflict is a power struggle. What is needed is to change the agenda in the conversation. The win/win approach says: I want to win and I want you to win too. The challenge now is how to have this happen. Go Back to needs The most important win/win maneuver you can make is to change course by beginning to discuss underlying needs, rather than only looking at solutions. The following story makes the point quite well: There are two people in a kitchen. There is only one orange left and both of them want it. What would you expect as the solution? Compromise is one option. They might cut it in half and each gets half. Let's assume that's what they do. One person now goes to the juicer and starts squeezing herself a rather too small orange juice. The other, with some difficulty, begins to grate the rind of the orange to flavor a cake. Had they discussed needs rather than heading straight to solutions, they could have both had the equivalent of a whole orange. Their needs were complementary, in fact, not conflicting. With the determination to use a win/win approach, two sets of needs can frequently dovetail together. Addressing each person's underlying needs means you build solutions that acknowledge and value those needs, rather than denying them. Even where solutions cannot be as perfect as in the orange story, the person feels quite differently about the outcome. To probe below the surface requires redirecting the energy. Ask questions like "Why does that seem to be the best solution to you?", "What's your real need here?", "What interests need to be served in this situation?", "What values are important to you here?", "What's the outcome or result you want?" The answers to these questions significantly alters the agenda on the discussion table. It places there the right materials for co-operative problem-solving. It leads to opportunities for you to say what you need and for other people to say what they need too. Win/win I want to win and I want you to win too. A win/win approach rests on strategies involving: • going back to underlying needs • recognition of individual differences • openness to adapting one s position in the light of shared information and attitudes • attacking the problem, not the people. The Win/win approach is certainly ethical, but the reason for its great success is that IT WORKS. Where both people win, both are tied to the solution. They feel committed to the plan because it actually suits them. Even when trust between the parties is very limited, the Win/Win Approach can be effective. If there's some doubt about the other person keeping their end of the bargain you can make the agreement reciprocal. "I'll do X for you, if you do Y for me." X supports their needs, Y supports yours. "I'll drive you to the party, if you clean the car." "I'll help you draw up those figures for your reports, if you sort out these invoice queries." It's a successful strategy. Usually, co-operation can result in both people getting more of what they want. The Win/Win Approach is Conflict Resolution for mutual gain. 2. Creative response Problems or challenges The Creative response to conflict is about turning problems into possibilities. It is about consciously choosing to see what can be done, rather than staying with how terrible it all is. It is affirming that you will choose to extract the best from the situation. Our attitudes color our thoughts. Usually we are quite unaware of how they shape the way we see the world. Two dramatically contrasting attitudes in life are "Perfection" versus "Discovery". Let's call them attitude "hats". What "hat" do you get dressed in each day? Do you see difficulties as problems or as challenges? The Perfection hat says: "Is this good enough or not?" (Usually not!) "Does this meet my impeccably high standards?" The Discovery hat says: "How fascinating! What are the possibilities here?" What is our mind chattering about under our Perfection hat? • Right or wrong? • Do I measure up? • Life is struggle. • Mistakes are unacceptable. • Judgment. • Unbendable beliefs about what's proper. • Failure!! • Do you measure up? • Life is hard work. • I have to be right. • Blame. • Don't take any chances Low self-esteem! The search for Perfection sets up: "Winners - & - Losers". Such yardsticks can be used to make decisions about traffic jams, your partner, the kids, the photostat machine, the boss and - above all - you. Is there a Discovery hat still sitting on the shelf in your wardrobe of possibilities? You may hardly have worn it since you were a young child. When you learnt to walk you didn't go "right foot", "wrong foot". It was just right foot, left foot, and each fall was as interesting as the next step. To the young child, everything is part of the great experiment. You can get out that hat again and dust it off. What's tucked away underneath your Discovery hat? • Exploration • Enthusiasm • Let's take a risk • What are the possibilities? • Everything's a success • Acceptance • Play • Inquiry • Experiment • How else can we look at this? High self-esteem! The process of Discovery invites: "Winners - & - Learners". If there are no failures, only learning, self-esteem gets a big boost upwards. You can put on your Discovery hat and problems look like intriguing crossword puzzles. "What will make the difference so he stops complaining to me all the time?", "What else can I try to get the kids to help with washing up?", "What are we freed up to do now that $7 million order has just been cancelled?", "How fascinating, the photostat machine has broken down again!" The process of Discovery invites: "Another Challenge? How Fascinating!" Errors can be regarded as splendid opportunities for learning. We are at our most energized as we stand ready to act on the edge of our personal unknowns. But that means we're going to make some mistakes. To tap the benefits of initiative, we really need to play down our judgment and criticism. Of course, we need to acknowledge errors and go through a correcting process. But when we move to discovery mode, we're not overly cautious about making mistakes and we don't make other people too cautious to act resourcefully by being overly critical. When an organization encourages the willingness to risk in its employees, it gets an alive and motivated staff. A not-so-famous but should be maxim: "If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing badly!" is an invitation to experiment and risk. Robert Kyosaki in his "Money and You" workshops often relates the very telling story of the IBM company in the States. One middle executive there made a tactical error that cost the company $9 million. The following week the executive, sure he was about to be fired, was called into the office of the Chairman. The Chairman started discussing plans for a huge new project that he wanted the executive to direct. After a certain point, the executive was feeling so uncomfortable he had to stop the Chairman: "Excuse me, sir, you know I'm amazed. Last week I cost us $9 million. Why are you putting me in charge of this new project? I thought you were going to fire me." The Chairman smiled. "Fire you? Young man, I've just invested $9 million educating you. You're now one of my most valuable assets." Here was a chairman who valued the willingness to risk and learn. He knew it was an essential ingredient in the successful executive. Life is not about winning and losing - it's about learning. When you fall down, you pick yourself up and note where the pot-hole was so you can walk around it the next time. A person who has gone "too far" knows just how far they can go. No "winners - and - losers", just "winners - and - learners". That's the essence. Ah, Conflict! What an Opportunity!. 3. Empathy The tasks of active listening Empathy is about rapport and openness between people. When it is absent, people are less likely to consider your needs and feelings. The best way to build empathy is to help the other person feel that they are understood. That means being an active listener. There are three specific listening activities relevant to different situations - 1. information, 2. affirmation and 3. inflammation. 1. Information - getting a clear picture AIM OF SPEAKER: to get across what is wanted so there is no confusion. TASK OF LISTENER: to get the details, to check out and confirm what the speaker is saying and get clear on anything relevant they might be forgetting to say. When you move into active listening mode to get information you are trying to find out about needs, instructions and perhaps background information. • ASK QUESTIONS - Find out about needs, instructions, context, timing, costs etc. • CHECK BACK - to be sure you have heard and understood the relevant details. • SUMMARISE - to make sure you both agree on the facts. As listener you are trying to get your speaker to say something like: "Yes, that's what I want" so you are both clear.Don't jump straight into solutions. Collect information. Find out how it is on the other side first. • Enquire about their needs in the situation. • Enquire about their concerns, anxieties or difficulties. • Find out their view of the needs and concerns of other relevant people affecting the situation. • Ask general questions that encourage them to open up e.g. How do you see it all? • Ask specific questions that will give you significant pieces of information e.g. How much does it cost? • Explore hidden premises on which they build their thinking. If they say "I can't" you might ask "What happens if you do?" If they say "They always..." you might ask "Are there any circumstances in which they don't?" If they say "It's too many, or too much" or "It's too little or too few" you might ask "compared with what?" 2. Affirmation - affirming, acknowledging, exploring the problem. AIM OF SPEAKER: to talk about the problem. TASK OF LISTENER: to help the speaker really hear what the speaker is saying and for the speaker to hear that you acknowledge their feelings. Here you are recognizing that the other person would be helped by you taking time to hear their problem. • LISTEN - attentively to the speaker. • REFLECT BACK - to the speaker their feelings, and perhaps the content of the problem with a single statement of acknowledgement periodically. • EXPLORE - If time permits, assist the speaker in finding greater clarity and understanding for themselves. You might take several interchanges reflecting back the speaker's feelings over a longer period of time, so that you both the difficulty in more depth. To get a "Yes, that's what I feel" so they explore what they are saying and they know they've been understood. Use active listening when offering advice won't really help. The speaker would be best served by finding greater clarity and understanding of the problem for themselves. Active listening builds relationship. • Don't ignore or deny their feelings. • Read the non-verbal as well as the verbal communication to assess feelings. • Check back with them about their feelings as well as the content even though they may only be telling you about the content. • If you're not sure how they feel, ask them e.g. "How do you feel about that?", "How did that affect you?" • Reflect back to them what you hear them to be saying so they can hear themselves. • Reflect back to them what you hear them to be saying so they know you understand. • If you get it wrong, ask an open question and try again e.g. "How do you see the situation?" When time permits: direct the conversation back to the point if the person drifts to a less significant topic because they feel you don't understand. Allow some silences to grow in the conversation if appropriate. Thoughtful silence can be fertile ground. Remember that your active listening is a method of helping the other person focus below the words to the unresolved issues. Notice sighs and body shifts. They'll often indicate some insight or acceptance. Pause before asking something like "How does it all seem to you now?" 3. Inflammation - responding to a complaint or attack on you AIM OF SPEAKER: to tell you that you are the problem. TASK OF LISTENER: to let the speaker know you've taken in what they are saying and to defuse the strong emotion. When someone is attacking you verbally, moving into active listening mode is usually the most useful response you can make. When there is conflict it's very common to blame the other person. It is difficult to be objective when the emotional level is high. Active listening is an effective tool to reduce the emotionality of a situation. Every time you correctly label an emotion the other person is feeling, the intensity of it dissipates. The speaker starts to feel heard and understood. Once the emotional level of the conflict has been reduced, reasoning abilities for both of you can function more effectively. When someone is telling you they are unhappy with you, criticizing you, complaining about you, or just getting it off their chest: • DON'T DEFEND yourself at this point. It will inflame them further. • DEAL FIRST WITH THEIR EMOTIONS - People shout because they don't think they are being heard. Make sure they know they are - that you are hearing how angry or upset they are. Label accurately the emotions/feelings as you perceive them. • ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR SIDE - This does not mean you agree with them, only that you are registering their viewpoint e.g. "I can see, if you think that was my attitude, why you are so angry", "I can see why the problem makes you so upset". Draw them out further. Explore gently with them if there is more behind the emotion. Once the heat is out of the conversation, you might say how it is for you without denying how it is for them. Ask what could be done now to make it OK again. If they heat up again, go straight back to active listening. Move towards options for change or solution. Ask what they really want, or what they want now. The listener is working towards the speaker saying something like: "Yes, that's what I said" so that the speaker knows the listener has taken in their point. For them to change first I must change. • One of the first things I might need to change is my approach. • Don't rise to the bait, and retaliate. • Don't start justifying. • Don't act defensive. • Go into active listening mode and stay there till they've calmed down. • Use phrases like "It's making you really mad", "I can see how upset you are", "You feel like you've reached your limit", "Have I got it right?", "So when I do... you get really frustrated with me." Keep on reflecting back as accurately as you can until they come down from the high emotion. If you are doing it right, they will explain everything in some detail, but as the interchange continues the heat should be going out of the conversation. 4. Appropriate assertiveness When to use "I" statements The essence of Appropriate Assertiveness is being able to state your case without arousing the defenses of the other person. The secret of success lies in saying how it is for you rather than what they should or shouldn't do. "the way I see it...", attached to your assertive statement, helps. A skilled "I" statement goes even further. When you want to state your point of view helpfully, the "I" statement formula can be useful. An "I" statement says how it is on my side, how I see it. You could waste inordinate quantities of brain power debating how the other person will or won't respond. Don't! You do need to be sure that you haven't used inflaming language, which would be highly likely to cause a negative response i.e. it should be "clean". Because you don't know beforehand whether the other person will do what you want or not, the cleanest "I" statements are delivered not to force them to fix things, but to state what you need. Use an "I" statement when you need to let the other person know you are feeling strongly about the issue. Others often underestimate how hurt or angry or put out you are, so it's useful to say exactly what's going on for you - making the situation appear neither better nor worse i.e. your "I" statement should be "clear". What Your "I" Statement Isn't Your "I" statement is not about being polite. It's not to do with "soft" or "nice", nor should it be rude. It's about being clear. It's a conversation opener, not the resolution. It's the opener to improving rather than deteriorating relationships. If you expect it to be the answer and to fix what's not working straight away - you may have an unrealistic expectation. If you expect the other person to respond as you want them to immediately, you may have an unrealistic expectation. What you can realistically expect is that an appropriate "I" statement made with good intent. • is highly unlikely to do any harm • is a step in the right direction • is sure to change the current situation in some way • can/will open up to possibilities you may not yet see. Sometimes the situation may not look any different yet after a clean, clear "I" statement it often feels different, and that on its own can change things. Here's an example: Nan was upset when she heard her adult son, Tommy, had visited town and not bothered to call or see her. They seemed to be growing further apart, and she had been brooding over this. She did not want to appear to nag him, or say anything to make things worse. She did want to see him when he came to town. When next they spoke, instead of putting on her "pretending not to be hurt" voice, she prepared herself for the conversation with a well rehearsed "I" statement. She got it "clear" and "clean". She was very sure she wanted a conversation that would be different from all those times she hinted at the problem without really saying it. "When I miss out on seeing you I feel hurt and what I'd like is to have contact with you when you are in town." She said it. Tommy immediately reacted with "You're always going at me with the same old thing." But Nan had a clear intention. "No", she said. "This time I said something different. I was simply telling you how I feel." For the first time on this issue, he really heard her. There was a moment's silence. Then instead of getting defensive (his usual pattern) he said "Well, actually I've tried to phone a few times. You weren't home." She acknowledged that was so. She felt much better and they then went on to have the best conversation in ages. The next time someone shouts at you and you don't like it, resist the temptation to withdraw rapidly (maybe slamming the door on the way out). Resist the temptation to shout back to stop the onslaught, and deal with your own rising anger. This is the time for APPROPRIATE ASSERTIVENESS. Take a deep breath. Stay centered, feet firmly planted on the ground, and get your mind into "I" statement gear. Start mixing a three ingredient recipe: • When... I hear a voice raised at me • I feel... humiliated • And what I'd like is that I... can debate an issue with you without ending up feeling hurt. The best "I" statement is free of expectations. It is delivering a clean, clear statement of how it is from your side and how you would like it to be. 5. Co-operative power Responding to resistance from others When faced with a statement that has potential to create conflict, ask open questions to reframe resistance. Explore the difficulties and then re-direct discussion to focus on positive possibilities. Explore - Clarify details It's too expensive. Compared to what? Too many/much/little/few. Compared to what? I want the best. What would be best for you? Find options You can't do that around here. What would happen if we did? He (she) would never... How can we find ways for it to happen? They always... Are there any times they don't? We've tried that already. What was the outcome? This is the only way to do it Yes, that's an option. What else could we consider? Redirect - Move to the positive It will never work. What would it take to make it work? I won't... What would make you willing? It's a failure. How could it work? It's disastrous. What would make it better? He's (she's) useless. What is he (she) doing that is acceptable? It's impossible. What would it take to make it possible? I can't. You can't see a way to do it at the moment? I don't want to. What would you like? Go back to legitimate needs and concerns He's (she's) a hopeless case! It's hard to see how to work with him (her)? You fool (and other insults)! What do we need to do to sort this out? How dare you do such a thing! What do you dislike about it? It should be done my way. What makes that seem the best option? His/her place is a pig's sty! He/she puts a different emphasis on tidiness to you? He/she doesn't do their fair share. Where do you think his/her priorities may lie? 6. Managing emotions Handling yourself • 5 Questions + 5 Goals • Don't indulge • Don't deny • Create richer relationships Print out the questionnaire below to complete the following: Five questions when angry/hurt/frightened Why am I feeling so angry/hurt/frightened? What do I want to change? What do I need in order to let go of this feeling? Whose problem is this, really? How much is mine? How much is theirs? What is the unspoken message I infer from the situation? (e.g. they don't like me, they don't respect me.) Five goals in communicating emotions Aim to avoid the desire to punish or blame. Action? Aim to improve the situation. Action? Aim to communicate your feelings appropriately. Action? Aim to improve the relationship and increase communication. Action? Aim to avoid repeating the same situation. Action? If communication is not appropriate, what other action can I take? Managing emotions - part 2 Handling others People's behavior occurs for a purpose. They are looking for ways to belong, feel significant, and self-protect. When people perceive a threat for their self-esteem, a downward spiral can begin. People can be led into obstructive behaviors in the faulty belief that this will gain them a place of belonging and significance. How we respond to their difficult behaviors can determine how entrenched these become. The secret is to break out of the spiral by supporting their real needs without supporting their destructive faulty beliefs, and alienating patterns of reaction. Difficult Behavior(and the Faulty Belief Behind It) The Downward Spiral Better Alternatives Seeking Attention ("I only belong when I am being noticed."), You feel annoyed and react by coaxing. They stop briefly, and then resume behavior and demands,, perhaps in a new way. Avoid undue attention. Give attention for positive behavior especially when they are not making a bid for it. Support their real contribution and involvement. Power Plays("I only belong when I am in control, when no-one can boss me!"). You feel provoked or threatened and react by fighting or giving in. Their aggression is intensified or they comply defiantly. Disengage from the struggle. Help them to use power constructively by enlisting co-operation. Support their self-worth and autonomy. Seeking Revenge ("I am significant only if I make others feel hurt like I do.") You feel hurt by them, and retaliate. They seek further revenge more strongly or with another weapon. Convince them that you respect their needs. Build trusting relationships. Support their need for justice and fairness. Appear Inadequate ("I won't be hurt any more, only if I can convince others not to expect much from me.") You give up, overwhelmed. They respond passively, show no improvement, and stay "victim". Encourage any positive attempt, no matter how small. Focus on assets. Provide bite-sized learning experiences they can succeed at. Support how they feel as a starting place for self-improvement. 7. Willingness to resolve Projection and shadow Does the situation inform or inflame? The Opportunity The more someone inflames me, angers or upsets me, the more I know I have something to learn about myself from that person. In particular, I need to see where projection from my shadow side has interfered with my willingness to resolve. Projection Projection is when we see our own thoughts and feelings in the minds and behavior of others and not in ourselves. We push something about ourselves out of our awareness and instead see it coming towards us from others. We see that X is angry with us and we feel hurt. We don't recognize that we are angry with X and would like to hurt X. It's very similar to film projection. The movie going on in our heads is projected out onto the people around us. Each of us builds, in this way, a highly personalized world. Greater self- awareness is necessary if we are to see reality. Persona and shadow Psychologist, Carl Jung, used the word "Persona" to describe the conscious aspects of personality, good and bad aspects which are known to the person. Jung called the unknown side of who we are "shadow". Persona: My self-image. Things I accept are true about myself. My conscious desires, wants, feelings, intentions and beliefs. Shadow: Potential I have not unfolded. Aspects of myself I'm not ready to know about. My unconscious wants and dislikes. Emotional responses that are too painful to fully experience. Abilities/ talents I'm not ready to accept or express. Shadow hugging and boxing Extreme attachment or rejection are both signs that our shadow has us in its hold. If we are overly attached to someone because of desirable qualities that we see in him/her and deny in ourselves we are SHADOW HUGGING. If we are overly rejecting of undesirable qualities in someone or something that we deny in ourselves we are SHADOW BOXING. The hook The behavior in the other person that is inflaming me, is in itself a neutral event. My projection gets caught on this hook. The symptom My emotional reaction (usually variations on anger or hurt). The projection The part of my shadow that is causing my strong reaction. Acknowledgement To be willing to resolve, we need to acknowledge our projection. Consider: • Suppressed needs e.g. Failing to recognize my need for companionship, I am deeply hurt when a friend postpones time we'd planned to be together. • Unresolved personal history e.g. If I was seriously let down as a child I may become really wild when people don't do what they promised. • Unacceptable qualities e.g. Because I don't accept my own anger, I don't accept it in others. 8. Mapping the conflict Define briefly the issue, the problem area, or conflict in neutral terms that all would agree on and that doesn't invite a "yes/no" answer e.g. "Filing" not "Should Sal do filing?" Alongside Who: write down the name of each important person or group. Write down each person's or group's needs. What motivates him/her? Write down each person's or group's fears, concerns, or anxieties. Be prepared to change the statement of the issue, as your understanding of it evolves through discussion or to draw up other maps of related issues that arise. 9. Development of options What are the range of options? Use the tools below to generate ideas. Clarifying tools • Chunking - breaking the problem into smaller parts. • Researching - more information; extent of resources: constraints. • Goal-setting - what is the outcome we want? Generating tools • The obvious solution - to which all parties say "yes". • Brainstorming- no censoring, no justifying, no debating • Consensus - build a solution together • Lateral thinking - have we been practical, creative? Negotiating tools • Maintain current arrangements - with trade-offs or sweeteners. • Currencies - what is it easy for me to give and valuable for you to receive? • Trial and error - try one option, then another • Establishing alternatives - what will happen if we can't agree? • Consequence confrontation - what I will do if we don't agree. Selection, Consider: • Is it built on a win/win approach? • Does it meet many needs of all parties? • Is it feasible? • Is it fair? • Does it solve the problem? • Can we settle on one option or do we need to trial several? 10. Introduction to negotiation Five basic principles • Be hard on the problem and soft on the person • Focus on needs, not positions • Emphasize common ground • Be inventive about options • Make clear agreements Where possible prepare in advance. Consider what your needs are and what the other person's are. Consider outcomes that would address more of what you both want. Commit yourself to a win/win approach, even if tactics used by the other person seem unfair. Be clear that your task will be to steer the negotiation in a positive direction. To do so you may need to do some of the following: Reframe Ask a question to reframe. (e.g. "If we succeed in resolving this problem, what differences would you notice?" Request checking of understanding. ("Please tell me what you heard me/them say.") Request something she/he said to be re-stated more positively, or as an "I" statement. Re-interpret an attack on the person as an attack on the issue. Respond not react • Manage your emotions. • Let some accusations, attacks, threats or ultimatums pass. • Make it possible for the other party to back down without feeling humiliated (e.g. by identifying changed circumstances which could justify a changed position on the issue.) Re-focus on the issue Maintain the relationship and try to resolve the issue. (e.g. "What's fair for both of us?" Summarise how far you've got. Review common ground and agreement so far. Focus on being partners solving the problem, not opponents. Divide the issue into parts. Address a less difficult aspect when stuck. Invite trading ("If you will, then I will") Explore best and worst alternatives to negotiating an acceptable agreement between you. Identify Unfair Tactics Name the behavior as a tactic. Address the motive for using the tactic. Chance the physical circumstances. Have a break. Change locations, seating arrangements etc. Go into smaller groups. Meet privately. Call for meeting to end now and resume later, perhaps "to give an opportunity for reflection". 11. Introduction to mediation Attitudes for mediators These attitudes are relevant whenever you want to advise, in a conflict which is not your own. It may be a friend telling you about a problem on the telephone. It may an informal chat with both conflicting people. It may be a formally organized mediation session. • Be objective - validate both sides, even if privately you prefer one point of view, or even when only one party is present. • Be supportive - use caring language. Provide a non-threatening learning environment, where people will feel safe to open up. • No judging - actively discourage judgments as to who was right and who was wrong. Don't ask "Why did you?" Ask "What happened?" and "How did you feel?" • Steer process, not content - use astute questioning. Encouraging suggestions from participants. Resist advising. If your suggestions are really needed, offer as options not directives. • Win/win - work towards wins for both sides. Turn opponents into problem-solving partners. Mediation Methods Use the simple, yet effective rules from the "Fighting Fair" poster. • Define your mediator role as there to support both people "winning". • Get agreement from both people about a basic willingness to fix the problem. • Let each person say what the problem is for them. Check back that the other person has actually understood them. • Guide the conversation towards a joint problem solving approach and away from personal attack. • Encourage them to look for answers where everybody gets what they need. • Redirect "Fouls" (Name Calling, Put Downs, Sneering, Blaming, Threats, Bringing up the Past, Making Excuses, Not Listening, Getting Even). Where possible you reframe the negative statement into a neutral description of a legitimate present time concern. Steps in Mediation Open Introductions and agreements Warm up, explanations, agenda if known. Establish 1. Overview: What is the matter? Each person to express their view of the conflict, the issues and their feelings. 2. Details: What is involved? More details. Map needs and concerns. Clarify misperceptions. Identify other relevant issues. Mirroring if needed. Move: 1. Where are they now? Identify areas of agreement. Encourage willingness to move forward. Caucus if needed. 2. Negotiation: Focus on future action. How would they like it to be? What would that take? Develop options. Trading - build wins for everyone. Close Completion: Contracting. Plans for the future, including appointed time to review agreement. Closing statements. 12. Broadening perspectives Respect and value differences Just as we are unique and special, so are other people. We all have distinctive viewpoints that may be equally valid from where we stand. Each person's viewpoint makes a contribution to the whole and requires consideration and respect in order to form a complete solution. This wider view can open our eyes to many more possibilities. It may require us to change the mind chatter that says: "For me to be right, others must be wrong." Recognize a long term timeframe. Consider how the problem or the relationships will look over a substantial period of time. The longer timeframe can help us be more realistic about the size of the problem we presently face. Assume a global perspective. If we believe that the actions of one individual are interconnected with every other individual, then we can have a sense how our actions can have meaning in conjunction with the actions of others. We can look at the overall system, which may be the family, the organization or the society. Consider what needs this larger unit has in order to function effectively. Deal with resistance to the broader perspective Taking up a broader view can be scary. It may make us less certain of the rightness of our own case. We may fear that we will lose all conviction to fight for what we need. We may have to give up the security we got from the simple way we previously saw the problem. We may need courage to enter the confusion of complexity. Many fears of taking the broader perspective prove ungrounded once we analyze them carefully. Open to the idea of changing and risk-taking By taking a broader perspective you may be confronted with the enormity of the difficulties. Identify what you can do to affect a particular problem, even if it is only a small step in the right direction. One step forward changes the dynamics and new possibilities can open up.

Include safety considerations in your design, construction and operation of your Mutant Vehicle

[Error generating content] — Sat, 10 May 2008 21:23:23 GMT

Burning Man Department of Mutant Vehicles volunteers ask you to be thinking about safety in terms of your vehicle's design, passengers, operating procedures, and how people can get on and off of your vehicle, and whether your vehicle includes trailers. If your vehicle will carry passengers, you must make sure it can handle its potential passenger capacity. Ultimately the applicant is solely accountable for all Mutant Vehicle safety cautions and considerations and is legally responsible for all aspects of safety; including but not limited to the Mutant Vehicle's design, engineering, construction, passenger capacity, safety procedures, operation and structural / mechanical integrity. Applicants must provide for and maintain functioning brakes, controllable speed, and adequate lighting. Tragedy struck the Burning Man Community when a participant was killed in a 2003 Mutant Vehicle accident. Attorneys for the victims family cast a wide legal net that entangled the MV Driver, licensee, camp, co-creators and BRC volunteers, including many who provided labor for it's construction or qualified it for operation at the event. Some found themselves in dire financial straights due to the cost of defending themselves in court.

Easy replication leads to diminishing approval of hodgepodge collage style art cars on the playa

[Error generating content] — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:00:09 GMT

Heritage vehicles provide a connection with the early years of Burning Man. Art Cars with their creative beginnings borne in the dust were an expressive and fun way to traverse the vast unrestricted desert expanses, far flung camps and Art. Some still attend yearly under their own power. The roots of whimsical, surreal and interactive Mutant Vehicles can be found in the few surviving examples.

Is your community contribution enhanced by motion?

[Error generating content] — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:02:29 GMT

"After 10 burns my experience trying to get a license last year was just dreadful." shellymost Each year border line applicants are warned that unless they continue the mutation of their vehicle, an invitation to the playa in future years is doubtful. Base vehicle recognition for all but the largest mutants has become unacceptable unless the community contribution is remarkable. "My base vehicle is badass. I don't want to cover it up. I add to it and make it a super pimpin playa roving assault to your senses!!!!" shellymost Vehicles that offer little more than a large sound system could just as well entertain the community in a static location. One of the often heard complaints about MV's is the disrespect they show to the community with loud audio intrusions at art installations, playa performances and the inner city streets. An attitude of entitlement for mobile transportation is unrealistic in light of the fact that only around 1 percent of the attendants to the event or a little over 500 mutants have typically been approved for license. With the "creative inflation" of 50,000 citizens of Black Rock City, some vehicles approved in past years are finding they need to consider what they offer for us all and not just themselves.

When is an "Art Car" also a "Mutant Vehicle"

[Error generating content] — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:34:39 GMT

If a creation is unique and without multiple similar fabrications then perhaps an "Art Car" can join the subset of "Mutant Vehicle" Compulsive collection art cars that retained the base shape of the donor vehicle have not been considered mutant vehicles, primarily due to easy replication and their unlimited opportunity for display on streets and highways. Mash-up or conjoined vehicles might fall short of being mutant vehicles as well, if they are best appreciated for their unique qualities while stationary. Similar to compulsive collection art cars, they are far to easy to replicate by most shade tree mechanics with half a snow mobile and a broken motorcycle or whatever bits of vehicles are lying around the shop. Exceptional mutants benefit the playa with a visual image enhanced by motion. A giant ant is enhanced by motion. An oil derrick or volcano . . . not so much. Perhaps everything at BRC should be on wheels. Then we can sit around and have the "art" come to us . . . Just like a parade. Last year over 500 Mutant Vehicles were licensed and around 300 static art pieces were placed on the playa. What is the tipping point for creative emphasis on mobile vs static expression at an event designed for pedestrians and bicycles?