Comments on: People of Burning Man [NSFW] http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 05:08:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: puppybeard http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428935 puppybeard Mon, 21 May 2012 10:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428935 Aww, they commodified the event with the $400 tickets! Aww, they commodified the event with the $400 tickets!

]]> By: amacker http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428810 amacker Mon, 21 May 2012 00:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428810  On the other hand, that was a bitchy response to your comment and I just wish people who have problems with someone's aesthetic realize that at least that person DID something, that they believe in, and expressed it artistically. As opposed to just critiquing other people's efforts. And the old adage: if you have nothing positive to say, say nothing at all" should be most considered when dealing with art. It;s like saying, "hey, i see you sprayed your guts and heart all over the sidewalk, but i don't like the pattern."  On the other hand, that was a bitchy response to your comment and I just wish people who have problems with someone’s aesthetic realize that at least that person DID something, that they believe in, and expressed it artistically. As opposed to just critiquing other people’s efforts. And the old adage: if you have nothing positive to say, say nothing at all” should be most considered when dealing with art. It;s like saying, “hey, i see you sprayed your guts and heart all over the sidewalk, but i don’t like the pattern.”

]]> By: amacker http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428804 amacker Mon, 21 May 2012 00:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428804 What a bitchy thing to say! Stop looking and go find something you find esthetically pleasing, altho god knows what that would be? Perhaps some slaves carrying you around in a Sedan Chair? or a LITTER? What a bitchy thing to say! Stop looking and go find something you find esthetically pleasing, altho god knows what that would be? Perhaps some slaves carrying you around in a Sedan Chair? or a LITTER?

]]> By: amacker http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428802 amacker Mon, 21 May 2012 00:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428802  Not to mention the cost of his equipment!! I've been shooting pix of our community for free for 12 years or more, and the cost in cameras, etc has been astronomical!! i would never sell a print (but then again the only reason my pix are valuable historically is cuz i was the only person who *had* a camera and shot everything and everyone, candids, mostly. Now I usually don't bother cuz everyone has a point-and-shoot and a cellphone. But Julian has rented trucks to create his studios in, at his expense, and despite having some serious physical issues, he perseveres in bringing the photos of the people AS THEY SEEM THEMSELVES to life!!  Not to mention the cost of his equipment!! I’ve been shooting pix of our community for free for 12 years or more, and the cost in cameras, etc has been astronomical!! i would never sell a print (but then again the only reason my pix are valuable historically is cuz i was the only person who *had* a camera and shot everything and everyone, candids, mostly. Now I usually don’t bother cuz everyone has a point-and-shoot and a cellphone.
But Julian has rented trucks to create his studios in, at his expense, and despite having some serious physical issues, he perseveres in bringing the photos of the people AS THEY SEEM THEMSELVES to life!!

]]> By: amacker http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428801 amacker Mon, 21 May 2012 00:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428801  He's not making anything. He even did a Kickstarter to just be able to afford to publish it - Which went very well and he put the money into publishing it!  He’s not making anything. He even did a Kickstarter to just be able to afford to publish it – Which went very well and he put the money into publishing it!

]]> By: Amacker Bullwinkle http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428799 Amacker Bullwinkle Sun, 20 May 2012 23:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428799 But the BURNERS themselves are not the same thing as the BORG who runs the event. But the BURNERS themselves are not the same thing as the BORG who runs the event.

]]> By: SedanChair http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428596 SedanChair Sun, 20 May 2012 12:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428596 Look, I'm sure you can out-fancy me any day of the week, OK? All I'm saying is that this guy's aesthetic sense is as offensive to me as any ethically neutral thing can be. I am repelled by it. Look, I’m sure you can out-fancy me any day of the week, OK? All I’m saying is that this guy’s aesthetic sense is as offensive to me as any ethically neutral thing can be. I am repelled by it.

]]> By: flickerKuu http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428587 flickerKuu Sun, 20 May 2012 10:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428587 The studio is a white back drop at the event itself.  There is no "cutting out" people from the desert backdrop. As for Seadant, if I have to explain how taking away all but the subject helps you to focus on the individual and nothing else, and how you choose to equate it some stock photography you sawwhich happened to use the same effect,  (lack 0f)  background, and penchant for high angles  - well, then I'm explaining art and technique to you. The studio is a white back drop at the event itself.  There is no “cutting out” people from the desert backdrop.

As for Seadant, if I have to explain how taking away all but the subject helps you to focus on the individual and nothing else, and how you choose to equate it some stock photography you sawwhich happened to use the same effect,  (lack 0f)  background, and penchant for high angles  – well, then I’m explaining art and technique to you.

]]> By: flickerKuu http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428585 flickerKuu Sun, 20 May 2012 10:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428585  I think Halcyon is in the very very beginning with a mask on. Also, knowing him personally I must say that you obviously have no clue as to who he is and what he does. Get to know him sometime. Spend some time at First Saturday  helping him supply and feed the homeless, then come back here and tell us how much of a greater person you are than him.  BTW, your comment wasn't positive at all.  I think Halcyon is in the very very beginning with a mask on. Also, knowing him personally I must say that you obviously have no clue as to who he is and what he does. Get to know him sometime. Spend some time at First Saturday  helping him supply and feed the homeless, then come back here and tell us how much of a greater person you are than him.  BTW, your comment wasn’t positive at all.

]]> By: Stitch http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428574 Stitch Sun, 20 May 2012 09:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428574 With regard to the scout uniform, that's the best OA lodge flap ever: Hungteetsepoppi, the smallest lodge in scouting. That design is the classic one that I think is still the best. Interesting note there, the bottom edge shouldn't be sewn, so the pocket can be buttoned. On the back of the flap there should be a number written in sharpie, each patch is numbered, and you can track down who was the original purchaser of it. The sponsoring council of Hungteestsepoppi released a statement a few years back to the effect of "we don't care about your sexual orientation, no matter what the official policy says," which is the only reason I maintain any pride in my scout experience, which was in that council. It's an older uniform, given the lack of a world crest, colored background on the rank insignia, and the fire'mn chit patch. It'd be fun to do a 6 degrees thing and look up who originally bought the OA flap, and whose uniform that likely was. With regard to the scout uniform, that’s the best OA lodge flap ever: Hungteetsepoppi, the smallest lodge in scouting. That design is the classic one that I think is still the best. Interesting note there, the bottom edge shouldn’t be sewn, so the pocket can be buttoned. On the back of the flap there should be a number written in sharpie, each patch is numbered, and you can track down who was the original purchaser of it.

The sponsoring council of Hungteestsepoppi released a statement a few years back to the effect of “we don’t care about your sexual orientation, no matter what the official policy says,” which is the only reason I maintain any pride in my scout experience, which was in that council.

It’s an older uniform, given the lack of a world crest, colored background on the rank insignia, and the fire’mn chit patch. It’d be fun to do a 6 degrees thing and look up who originally bought the OA flap, and whose uniform that likely was.

]]> By: TWX http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428530 TWX Sun, 20 May 2012 05:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428530 The instant that those who do so band together. Every counter-culture is a culture in of itself.  As with the mainstream culture that many counter-cultures form in protest of, counter-cultures end up developing many of the same traits, with leaders, lieutenants of the leaders, followers, and those looked down upon.  It doesn't even matter that even the leaders in the counter-culture were those looked down upon in the mainstream, they'll look down upon others in their counter-culture just the same. I've seen it in the goth scene, at Rocky Horror Picture Show, in the various dance scenes, in various fandom scenes and in greater fandom, in techie/nerd/geek circles, in the BBSer community, in the Usenet community, etc.  Everywhere this has held true. The instant that those who do so band together.

Every counter-culture is a culture in of itself.  As with the mainstream culture that many counter-cultures form in protest of, counter-cultures end up developing many of the same traits, with leaders, lieutenants of the leaders, followers, and those looked down upon.  It doesn’t even matter that even the leaders in the counter-culture were those looked down upon in the mainstream, they’ll look down upon others in their counter-culture just the same.

I’ve seen it in the goth scene, at Rocky Horror Picture Show, in the various dance scenes, in various fandom scenes and in greater fandom, in techie/nerd/geek circles, in the BBSer community, in the Usenet community, etc.  Everywhere this has held true.

]]> By: TWX http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428528 TWX Sun, 20 May 2012 05:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428528 Good RVs aren't cheap, but there are functional RVs that are passable that are.  A $5000 RV could be adequate, even if not actually comfortable.  Acceptable to sleep in, use the bathroom in, and possibly bathe in if such actually happens. I've been looking into self-contained Class-B (full-sized van chassis) RVs for many years.  I like the Dodges but their towing capacity when fully decked out just isn't quite high enough for what I need (at least 5000lb, 6000lb would be much better).  I'm not struggling financially, but I'm definitely not rich either.  If I really, really wanted an RV I could probably save up the $10,000 to buy one with some service life left in it over a couple of years if I really felt that was the hobby I wanted to pursue. Good RVs aren’t cheap, but there are functional RVs that are passable that are.  A $5000 RV could be adequate, even if not actually comfortable.  Acceptable to sleep in, use the bathroom in, and possibly bathe in if such actually happens.

I’ve been looking into self-contained Class-B (full-sized van chassis) RVs for many years.  I like the Dodges but their towing capacity when fully decked out just isn’t quite high enough for what I need (at least 5000lb, 6000lb would be much better).  I’m not struggling financially, but I’m definitely not rich either.  If I really, really wanted an RV I could probably save up the $10,000 to buy one with some service life left in it over a couple of years if I really felt that was the hobby I wanted to pursue.

]]> By: Rob Knop http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428486 Rob Knop Sun, 20 May 2012 01:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428486 <i> Critique of the Temporary Autonomous Zone from without is inherently flawed.</i> Awesome!  You've come up with an assertion that raises whatever it is that you like above criticism. Critique of the Temporary Autonomous Zone from without is inherently flawed.

Awesome!  You’ve come up with an assertion that raises whatever it is that you like above criticism.

]]> By: woodpecker36 http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428441 woodpecker36 Sat, 19 May 2012 21:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428441 I can't wait for the action figures; a reputable source told me that Stan Lee is in contract negotiation Larry Harvey  as an 'outside' consulting to develop a line of flame retardant water soluble shapeable figurines (the development is truly crosscutting, DOW is providing the plastic with the special properties).  Larry has given us so much and I think it is only fair that he makes something from it; BM is a labour of love.  I hope he gets filthy rich from all of his hard work, he deserves it.  I can’t wait for the action figures; a reputable source told me that Stan Lee is in contract negotiation Larry Harvey  as an ’outside’ consulting to develop a line of flame retardant water soluble shapeable figurines (the development is truly crosscutting, DOW is providing the plastic with the special properties).  Larry has given us so much and I think it is only fair that he makes something from it; BM is a labour of love.  I hope he gets filthy rich from all of his hard work, he deserves it. 

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428417 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 19 May 2012 19:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428417 You support people having fun in the way that they choose? That's crack talk. You support people having fun in the way that they choose? That’s crack talk.

]]> By: daen http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428280 daen Sat, 19 May 2012 11:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428280 I'm probably never going to go to BM.  But a lot of my friends (yes, OK, I live in San Francisco) have been several times, and through conversations with them, and through their enthusiasm and enjoyment, and in spite of what BM may have become in recent years, it is possible for someone who's never been to imagine what it once was.  I supported Julian's Kickstarter project, for that reason, and anyone who believes that this is some commodification of something or other needs to know that there are many moments when it almost never happened - a bad backup and a failed hard drive almost scuppered it at the last moment, for example.  This is nothing more or less than a labour of love, and should be lauded. I’m probably never going to go to BM.  But a lot of my friends (yes, OK, I live in San Francisco) have been several times, and through conversations with them, and through their enthusiasm and enjoyment, and in spite of what BM may have become in recent years, it is possible for someone who’s never been to imagine what it once was.  I supported Julian’s Kickstarter project, for that reason, and anyone who believes that this is some commodification of something or other needs to know that there are many moments when it almost never happened – a bad backup and a failed hard drive almost scuppered it at the last moment, for example.  This is nothing more or less than a labour of love, and should be lauded.

]]> By: brerrabbit23 http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428262 brerrabbit23 Sat, 19 May 2012 09:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428262 ITT wealthy white kids get bold about shitting on each other's efforts and meek about having enjoyed their money. ITT wealthy white kids get bold about shitting on each other’s efforts and meek about having enjoyed their money.

]]> By: Katherine McLemore http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1428039 Katherine McLemore Sat, 19 May 2012 01:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1428039 You definitely don't have to be naked, but what constitutes "looking good naked" is actually a lot more flexible at Burning Man than it is in American culture at large. Most people stay in tents, not RVs. A bunch of my (relatively) broke friends save up their money and went when we were in college. Yeah, tickets are pretty overpriced, but what isn't?  You definitely don’t have to be naked, but what constitutes “looking good naked” is actually a lot more flexible at Burning Man than it is in American culture at large. Most people stay in tents, not RVs. A bunch of my (relatively) broke friends save up their money and went when we were in college. Yeah, tickets are pretty overpriced, but what isn’t? 

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427998 Cowicide Sat, 19 May 2012 00:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427998 I'll be sure and contact the random person who put that video up and fix this jarring error for you right after I finish setting up my moon base. ;D I’ll be sure and contact the random person who put that video up and fix this jarring error for you right after I finish setting up my moon base. ;D

]]> By: Cowicide http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427896 Cowicide Fri, 18 May 2012 22:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427896 I also think some in this thread are the very definition of "uptight". ^_^ I also think some in this thread are the very definition of “uptight”.

^_^

]]> By: Teller http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427591 Teller Fri, 18 May 2012 16:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427591 Nice video. Be a lot better if the music track came from THAT album. Or Axis BaL. Nice video. Be a lot better if the music track came from THAT album. Or Axis BaL.

]]> By: ZA_SF http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427566 ZA_SF Fri, 18 May 2012 16:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427566 Incidentally, I love how the comment stream here replicates the same challenge to identity and definition that this one annual event in the desert provokes on Playa.  Incidentally, I love how the comment stream here replicates the same challenge to identity and definition that this one annual event in the desert provokes on Playa. 

]]> By: ZA_SF http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427560 ZA_SF Fri, 18 May 2012 16:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427560 I hear this year is totally going to suck. Last year was way better.  I hear this year is totally going to suck. Last year was way better. 

]]> By: Vinnie Tesla http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427518 Vinnie Tesla Fri, 18 May 2012 15:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427518  I very much agree with your first sentence, but not your second. Camp showers (like the Sunshower) will do you fine, though you may still find bits of paint on the less conspicuous creases of your body a few days later.  I very much agree with your first sentence, but not your second. Camp showers (like the Sunshower) will do you fine, though you may still find bits of paint on the less conspicuous creases of your body a few days later.

]]> By: Vinnie Tesla http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427514 Vinnie Tesla Fri, 18 May 2012 15:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427514  No sand. The playa is hard caked alkaline silt, like in all those car ads. Depending on the year's weather, there may also be drifts of incredibly fine dust.  No sand. The playa is hard caked alkaline silt, like in all those car ads. Depending on the year’s weather, there may also be drifts of incredibly fine dust.

]]> By: D. Keith Higgs http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427327 D. Keith Higgs Fri, 18 May 2012 10:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427327  Yet, for something to be a "commodity" there must also be a market demand for it.  If nobody wants that widget I have a hard time calling it a commodity.  Yet, for something to be a “commodity” there must also be a market demand for it.  If nobody wants that widget I have a hard time calling it a commodity.

]]> By: thermoplasticity http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427290 thermoplasticity Fri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427290 I've noticed time and again for years that most of the negative comments and assumptions are from people who have never experienced BM, and most of the overwhelmingly positive comments are from people who have been there.  Interesting. I’ve noticed time and again for years that most of the negative comments and assumptions are from people who have never experienced BM, and most of the overwhelmingly positive comments are from people who have been there.  Interesting.

]]> By: Buddy Bradley http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427273 Buddy Bradley Fri, 18 May 2012 07:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427273 wonderful! really enjoyed that wonderful! really enjoyed that

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427239 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 18 May 2012 05:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427239 <blockquote>Full body paint is actually quite impractical in the desert unless you have an RV with a shower, which most don't.</blockquote><i>No showers down here. You scrub your ass with sand!</i>

Full body paint is actually quite impractical in the desert unless you have an RV with a shower, which most don’t.

No showers down here. You scrub your ass with sand!

]]> By: fiatrn http://boingboing.net/2012/05/17/people-of-burning-man-portrai.html#comment-1427236 fiatrn Fri, 18 May 2012 05:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=161437#comment-1427236 Play the Donna Summer while watching the People of Burning Man - it makes for a much more interesting video! Play the Donna Summer while watching the People of Burning Man – it makes for a much more interesting video!

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