The necessity of the Burning Man ethos

[can't sit still]

I looked for a thread close to what I wanted,,, no luck.
Here's an article talking about our current financial situation. Many of the things listed in the article echo the beliefs of Larry Harvey. The author lays out clearly the theme [or disease] of commodification. The article shows a progression to a society where gifting and self sufficiency of groups is the only salvation. It's an interesting, alternate view of our society.
Seeing as how the default world is so reviled by so many, this article may be a blueprint for change. Dan
http://www.realitysandwich.com/money_an ... vilization

[Deb Prothero]

thanks for posting this. I finally made time to read and digest the whole thing. It really does speak to what BMs original purpose and ideals seem to have been. The gift culture is what we are learning at BM and preparing ourselves for the anarchy that approaches.

[can't sit still]

Deb, Canada is in a unique position. The US dollar doesn't look likely to survive much past the end of the year. Oil production in mexico is almost dead. When the dollars blows, OPEC is going to want payment in gold. That leaves Canada.
Gifting on a personal scale is nice. I doubt that Canadians are going to want our paper when we finally destroy it. I certainly hope not.
The more complete the crash, the more likely that we can get rid of the military that is sucking the country dry. General Eisenhower warned us about the danger of the military-industrial complex. We now have worldwide wars-for-profit. We have no health insurance but, we fly $ 2 billion planes that crash when one sensor gets wet.
Tell the Americans that oil is C.O.D. in gold.

[Deb Prothero]

can't sit still;

I agree that we need to grow a backbone up here. I'm concerned about the environmental damage being done in Alberta with the Oil Tar extraction. Many Canadians are opposing the licensing of any new projects and I am hopeful that we will slow them down at least.

When we ask for gold we should also insist that they contribute extra for the clean-up otherwise Canada's northwest will become a wasteland.

[can't sit still]

I've made seven trips to Fairbanks by road and flown to Barrow and Deadhorse. Haven't yet seen Yellowknife or NWT. Canada has a lot going for it. I hope that Canada can hold out for "responsible" development. Water is going to be as big a problem as carbon.
Good luck. Dan

[Simon of the Playa]

Water is going to be as big a problem as carbon.

bigger.



in the past wars were fought for oil, in the future it will be for water, our very essence.

Maybe thats why Nestle, Pepsico and Coca-Cola Corp are buying up everything they can in the way of water rights.

whats next? clean air? will there be Bubbled, Gated Communities where if you can afford it, the air will be clean and the water fresh and plentiful?


for once i'm not kidding.

[Deb Prothero]

Simon of the Playa;

So what does "Simon Says" is the solution?

I don't disagree with you at all. The prospect of Bubbled Gated Communities is indeed a frightening thought. The fact that we can all imagine it makes me believe that it is entirely possible.

The farmers in Southern Alberta are already crying the blues about the water table evaporating due to the intense use of water for Oil Tar production.

[Simon of the Playa]

So what does "Simon Says" is the solution?

euthanasia.

[Deb Prothero]

Simon Says: euthanasia

That's almost as sad a concept as suicide. Not a solution.

Although given the prospect of war on this continent over water is very scary and may happen in our lifetime, we may need to consider whether we can tolerate being part of that scenario by making radical choices.

[Simon of the Playa]

we may need to consider whether we can tolerate being part of that scenario by making radical choices.

a perfect case for eugenics.

[Deb Prothero]

a perfect case for eugenics.

Can we selectively breed for peaceful humans?

[oneeyeddick]

Why not ?

It worked for the breeds of lab rats they now use.

[Deb Prothero]

Are those the rats that allow themselves to be subject to peaceful medical procedures or are they the ones that carry peaceful protest signs?

[oneeyeddick]

The only difference is thier size and the length of thier fur.

They both clean themselves by licking between thier toes with thier tounge.

[Deb Prothero]

So peaceful people could be identified in childhood as the ones with no toe jam?

[Simon of the Playa]

So peaceful people could be identified in childhood as the ones with no toe jam?

OH SNAP!




we LIKE Deb...


she's one of those "Good" canadians...


you know, like albert speer.


you must have some new yorker in you....have you been checked for worms lately?[/s][/i][/list]

[Deb Prothero]

uh oh, the only Albert Speer that I know of was Hitler's Minister of War Production. He was German not Canadian. Gosh I hope I don't resemble that monster.

But I will take credit for being a Good Canadian, I think.

No testing for worms yet. Should I be concerned? I have some experience with New York and not just the city either.

[Simon of the Playa]

uh oh, the only Albert Speer that I know of was Hitler's Minister of War Production. He was German not Canadian. Gosh I hope I don't resemble that monster.

he didn't know, he lost his glasses in 42', no really....the spandau ballet around the world in his mind....nein, nein...


he was a "Good" german......in all senses of the word.

[mdmf007]

a perfect case for eugenics.

Can we selectively breed for peaceful humans?

Yup they are called hippies or stoners

[Deb Prothero]

a perfect case for eugenics.

Can we selectively breed for peaceful humans?

Yup they are called hippies or stoners

Now we just need to get them elected to positions of authority so we can prevent the wars that loom ahead.

[can't sit still]

Nature..... Nurture ???????????
I've been around the Amish, Mennonites and Mormons. Nurture goes a long way. Our public entertainment can't be a very good influence.

[Deb Prothero]

The Quakers would fall into that category of nurturing peace as well.

As for public entertainment, I don't watch television anymore, if that's what you are referring to. And I raised two young men to adulthood while restricting their viewing to a couple hours a week.

Getting back to the original topic, I believe that the de-commodification that we preach at Burning Man will need to be spread universally throughout the West.

We need to shut out public entertainment, like TV and revert to creating our own.

[Simon of the Playa]

We need to shut out public entertainment, like TV and revert to creating our own.

sounds like fascism.


i like it.

[SilverOrange]

Nature..... Nurture ???????????
I've been around the Amish, Mennonites and Mormons. Nurture goes a long way. Our public entertainment can't be a very good influence.

I live close to a large Amish population, and there have been two occasions that I remember of Amish drug rings being broken up. Coke, I think, both times. Damn horse and buggies just don't cut it in high speed chases.

[oneeyeddick]

We need to shut out public entertainment, like TV and revert to creating our own.

without TV, what are we supposed to aim our furniture in the living room at ?

[ygmir]

We need to shut out public entertainment, like TV and revert to creating our own.

without TV, what are we supposed to aim our furniture in the living room at ?

the stripper pole and/or mirrors........

[oneeyeddick]

stripper pole ?.......wouldn't I then have to let my girlfriend loose from the bondage rack ?


well.....she has been beggin' to be let loose for a month or so, I just thought it was part of "the game" we were playing.

[ygmir]

stripper pole ?.......wouldn't I then have to let my girlfriend loose from the bondage rack ?

I guess that'd depend on your level of monogamy, now, wouldn't it?

and, of course, if your not the bound one, the rules seem to be yours..........

[oneeyeddick]

True, for right now anyhow.

* inserts ball gag *

[theCryptofishist]

True, for right now anyhow.

* inserts ball gag *

Does anybody else find it reassuring that OED inserted that up his own ass? You just gotta have a soft spot for inept bondage.