i just want to know...how do you people feel about the "American Dream" theme???
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Oregon
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Re: BM theme of 08
Sun, January 27, 2008 - 3:13 PMI hate it so much, I'm not going...
I reality, themes are mostly irrelevant. They give the organizers something to use when designing ticket and mailer graphics and use them for the names of the concentric circle streets but for the most part, most people at Burning Man have little awareness of the theme. I can't remember in my 11 years at BM ever having even the vaguest awareness of the theme while on the playa nor has the theme from year to year and any effect on my experiences at BRC. I think the process of coming up with the theme has far more significance to the organizers than it does to Burners in general.
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Re: BM theme of 08
Sun, January 27, 2008 - 3:18 PMI love it just cuz it pisses people off so much! I can't wait to see the art and antics inspired by all the anger. -
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Re: BM theme of 08
Sun, January 27, 2008 - 3:56 PMI have a different take on the theme for 2008.
It's not about some glad handing politician's throw away line, it's about all the things the folks that came here were trying to escape. Their dreams for a better life. Our dreams for a better life for that matter.
I think the fact that the two appear to be the same thing to so many people points to a lack of thought on the subject. It's a good thing in my mind for us all to be reminded of the differences, here in an election year.
Sas -
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Re: BM theme of 08
Mon, January 28, 2008 - 10:00 PMI still have Green Man ® paper plates, cups and bum wipes leftover from last year. Can I use them again this year, or will real burners shun me? -
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 6:05 AMAre they (the bum wipes) still green?
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 7:46 AM"Can I use them again this year..."
Sort of an obscure answer: how long did La Contessa last on the playa?
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 10:33 AMAbsolutely not. Please pollute the environment by either burning them or littering them somewhere. There will be no more being green. Green is not the American Dream. ;]
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 10:45 AM<<I still have Green Man ® paper plates, cups and bum wipes leftover from last year. Can I use them again this year, or will real burners shun me?>>
#1. Screw "real burners". If someone shuns you for anything so lame, have pity on them for being so caught up in their judgments.
#2. Have pride in using them till they're gone (save one of each for the museum).
#3. Find a way to connect them to the American Dream theme...i.e. my American Dream is that America becomes more and more Green.
#4. Find a creative way to alter them to fit into the theme...i.e. create a stamp that crosses out Green Man and says, "Dream On".
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 8:36 AMI could care less about the theme, but I know my boyfriend hates it and doenst want to go because of it. I can not go because I can not afford it this year, but otherwise I would totally go, theme or not.
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 11:50 AMhonestly, I think its kind of offensive, due to the fac that BM has become an international event. In my village last year, we had people from South Africa, Ireland, Brazil, England, etc.
I don't really give a crap about the "merican dream" theme, but I'm working on some ideas for art this year. I liked the idea of last years "green man" theme because I was hoping it might bring an ounce of new knowledge to people attending to work on reducing/reusing/rethinking/recyling/ etc. back home.
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 1:02 PMInstead of taking the theme at it's reactionary face value, push the idea. Most folks who seem to be pooh-pooing the idea are reacting to the base level of it. The lack of creative thought astounds me that this theme seems to have produced in many folks minds. When you get beyond the stereotypical political facade, it can be more than that. Trust me.
If you're solely not attending because of a non-enforced conceptual idea, I really think that perhaps Burning Man isn't for you. The playa can be a great testing ground of your sensibilities, thoughts, ideas, desires, and philosophies. If you choose to attend an event that lacks those types of possibilities, perhaps a music festival may be more appropriate for yourself. You don't have to follow the theme; the majority of people don't. You will still go to Center Camp. You will still dance until dawn. You will still meet awesome people from around the world. You will have amazing memories when you return to default camp.
Each year, we hear about how lame the idea is. Typically (in my opinion), the fears that many folks have before the event tend to be unfounded when the actual event occurs and when they have time to reflect on it. Recall the whole marketing brouhaha people had about last year? Yeah, it didn't happen. There were no brochures, pushy salesman, or a logo on any products. Fears unfounded.
Be creative folks. Don't accept the basic reactionary thought. Push yourselves. Just remember, it's just a camping trip in the desert for a week with fifty thousand people.
*hugs*
flint -
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 4:00 PMI completely agree with you Flint, except for one thing:
<<Recall the whole marketing brouhaha people had about last year? Yeah, it didn't happen. There were no brochures, pushy salesman, or a logo on any products. Fears unfounded. >>
I can't really know about this since someone tried to burn the whole thing down and it was closed for the majority of the event and many of us never got to see what was going on in there. -
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 4:07 PMDPW built a side-tent that was open the next day after the first burn, so many of the products, art pieces, and items were on display. The base of the man was open on Wednesday, as I was Rangering under it at that point, so I'm uncertain why you think that it was closed most of the week. -
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Re: BM theme of 08
Fri, February 1, 2008 - 7:38 AM"There were no brochures, pushy salesman, or a logo on any products."
I was part of the Open Source Green Lab. We weren't allowed to be open on Monday because an artist had the whole area closed off due to still welding a tree together. Tuesday through Thursday we were not allowed to host educational discussions because our area was closed off by the Rangers and DPW. Only only Friday were we allowed to operate, but only for about 15 hours before we had to close down in preparation for the scheduled burn.
And I can say that there were no brochures, pushy salesman or a logo on any product that I saw from pre-event or on the final day. -
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Re: BM theme of 08
Fri, February 1, 2008 - 8:52 AMStrange, as it was open when I was working. Regardless, due to Tuesday mornings pre-burn, it did screw over the ability to proudly display many of the products, resources, and art that people worked very hard on. Thanks, Mr. Addis.
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Re: BM theme of 08
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 6:34 PMI agree, Flint. I think the most important bit of advice I brought last year was that I alone am responsible for my experience. If you don't like the theme, ignore it, twist it to your own liking, make your own theme. Don't let the theme spoil your experience. Or don't go. Won't bother me.
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Re: BM theme of 08
Wed, January 30, 2008 - 2:50 AMAt first, I simply didn't like it. Probably an 'ashamed to be an American' thing. But whatever. That's aside the point. I have a new reason not to like it....
The exclusivity of an *American* dream. I could elaborate, bit I think you're all smart enough to figure out where I'm going with this... -
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Re: BM theme of 08
Wed, January 30, 2008 - 9:35 AMI agree with Flint, there are so many creative ways to look at this theme that have nothing to do with nationalism, patriotism, etc.
You just have to think outside of the box.
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Re: BM theme of 08
Wed, February 6, 2008 - 9:44 PMFirst of all, the only reason the theme could make you miserable is if you let it. The theme, like Burning Man, is what you make of it.
Second, it should be pointed out that the theme is not "The American Dream, but more so "American dream," at least as I heard it straight from the regional's mouth.
Third, what *I* think of it is that it's just fine! Our group is working on an elaborate five dome temple complex with people from around the country getting together to work on this Sacred space.
How does Sacred space fit into the theme? We intend to realize our Manifest Divinity!! ;-)
Sacred Union of all energy is a key theme in our camp. Tentatively we're called Temple of the United Spirit, but that might change slightly. We'll see.
Blessings,
Ora
