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If re-establishing the principle of decommoditization is the goal, then I think the solution is simply to ban phones and cameras. This is difficult to enforce,

If re-establishing the principle of decommoditization is the goal, then I think the solution is simply to ban phones and cameras. This is difficult to enforce, however. Ultimately the problem is similar to that of what happened to hippy counter culture. It becomes cool and those that seek to exploit it will do so. The tie-dye shirt had its day and the culture was offensively exploited by all kinds of entities that had no understanding of the culture nor interest in taking upon the values. Burning man has an advantage here because it is centered around a location, and a difficult one at that. I disagree with the notion of exclusion. Inclusion is a priority to spread the principles and values to those that would benefit, while making the exploitation by corporations and apathetic individuals very very difficult (or just not worth it).

umeshunni 8y ago
> ban phones and cameras Maybe this is just me being an "old timer", but one of my favorite aspects of burning man was getting away from connectivity and technology. There was no cell signal on the playa (or anywhere after Gerlach) and I could only send a text back from Center camp mid-week to let my SO know i made it. The harsh environs also made it so that I didn't want to take a smartphone out on the playa. The last couple of times I went (and I haven't been in 2 years), I was shocked to see that there was full 4G/LTE connectivity on the playa and that hanging out at a camp bar or mutant vehicle, you're likely to see the same face buried in their phones experience that you'd see in the default world.
- ajhurliman 8y ago
  Same. My first year I brought my Rebel T2i to photo-document the trip, but the trying to "capture the moment" continually ruined "the moment" itself. I decided living the experience was more important than documenting it and put the camera away on the first day.
plugger 8y ago
I can get behind this. I've been to Black Rock twice for BALLS, the premiere high altitude launch event for hobby rocketry in the states (in 2012 and 2013 respectively). It always takes place a few weeks after BM. I've had many a chat with the hard core organisers/workers behind BM as we all drink at the bar at Bruno's at the end of the day. They have to stay behind for weeks after the event cleaning up the playa from trash left behind. The two things they pick up more than anything else? Batteries and chapstick. Your recommendation would possibly mitigate some of the batteries from the equation.

umeshunni 8y ago

> ban phones and cameras Maybe this is just me being an "old timer", but one of my favorite aspects of burning man was getting away from connectivity and technology. There was no cell signal on the playa (or anywhere after Gerlach) and I could only send a text back from Center camp mid-week to let my SO know i made it. The harsh environs also made it so that I didn't want to take a smartphone out on the playa. The last couple of times I went (and I haven't been in 2 years), I was shocked to see that there was full 4G/LTE connectivity on the playa and that hanging out at a camp bar or mutant vehicle, you're likely to see the same face buried in their phones experience that you'd see in the default world.

ajhurliman 8y ago
Same. My first year I brought my Rebel T2i to photo-document the trip, but the trying to "capture the moment" continually ruined "the moment" itself. I decided living the experience was more important than documenting it and put the camera away on the first day.

plugger 8y ago

I can get behind this. I've been to Black Rock twice for BALLS, the premiere high altitude launch event for hobby rocketry in the states (in 2012 and 2013 respectively). It always takes place a few weeks after BM. I've had many a chat with the hard core organisers/workers behind BM as we all drink at the bar at Bruno's at the end of the day. They have to stay behind for weeks after the event cleaning up the playa from trash left behind. The two things they pick up more than anything else? Batteries and chapstick. Your recommendation would possibly mitigate some of the batteries from the equation.