Looking for Anthropologist/Sociologist - Subject: community

[obonin]

Hello,

I am doing a project related to burning man, and I am looking for an anthropologist or sociologist. Historian would be great also. I would like to discuss with them the notion of community and how they understand it with regards to burning man.

For more information about my project and if you're interested, please contact me at obonin@bonbon.net

Best regards,
Olivier.

[obonin]

Hello Moderator (sorry I don't know your name),

I think i didn't post this in the right section, and might be thinking I need to move the post to "the nature of burning man", but don't want to double post.

Let me know,
Thanks for your time and help.
Olivier.

[admin]

Done. Thank you for not crossposting!

[robbidobbs]

I'm a Social Scientist, so the concept of "community" is something I study both on and off Playa.

If you'd like to just open the floor to a discussion, let's go!

Prior to being on the playa, it is simply impossible to fully grasp the communal glue that binds Burners together. Be it the Participants Only clause, the opportunity to show off one's freakish artistic talents w/o repercussions, the insane environmental conditions, the conspicuous lack of commercialism, or the "let's all be freaks together and enjoy it" festival atmosphere. The Participation factor is the biggest IMO.

There is a difference between community and family IMO, where in a community, there is a sense of duty, but with it's limits. There are some in BM community that I would pick up at the airport at 3am for. Not many, but some. What I do with the Pottie Project is absolutely for the Community.

[Zulegoona]

There is the self selection factor in play too.

This will be my first year so I'll have to wait to see how it plays out on the playa, but the felt social expectation of participation and the corresponding expectation of acceptance by the community would seen to encourage a greater degree of interaction and bonding.

When I first started finding out about Burning Man I was almost instantly moved by the feeling that I was not alone my tribe does exist. For me it was the blend of things, liberal with conservative aspects, Artistic ways of viewing the world with the very practical demands of the harsh environment, and so on. There seems to be a celebration of self and individualism in an atmosphere involvement and community spirit.

There also seems to be a religious aspect of involvement and dedication to something transcendent, something greater than ones self, that goes beyond community involvement in the rest of life.

I could of course end up having a shitty time camping next to some yahoo buttheads with a heavy negative vibe, and it will go down as the camping trip from hell.

[robbidobbs]

>I could of course end up having a shitty time camping next to some >yahoo buttheads with a heavy negative vibe, and it will go down as the >camping trip from hell.

Move. No really, you don't need to be next to a group that is making your life miserable. There is a big City out there.

[Zulegoona]

>I could of course end up having a shitty time camping next to some >yahoo buttheads with a heavy negative vibe, and it will go down as the >camping trip from hell.

Move. No really, you don't need to be next to a group that is making your life miserable. There is a big City out there.

It does seem like such an obvious solution,

I'd thought once you were parked and set up that was it, your vehicle wasn't to move for the duration. It's funny how the simple things get by me some times. Thanks

[obonin]

Hello all,

Please don't be shy, I know you can hide in a 30,000 peple crowd, but I'm sure you will be interested in the project...

Talk to you soon. Olivier.