Comments on: Burning Man is not “like Occupy Wall Street.”

By: Yazzle

Yazzle — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:56:41 +0000

Characterizing OWS as a solely negative force doesn’t mesh with reality. At OccupySF, we’ve been building community, infrastructure, and practicing inclusion and consensual decision making. And there’s fun too.. we have the occasional dance party (which tend to be criticized – some people think that Occupiers shouldn’t be having fun), and drum circles and performances. This movement is intended to be broad and inclusive.

Within the 99%, almost everybody will self-identify with multiple communities, whether that’s determined by your gender, sexuality, political persuasions, or love or hatred of bassnectar. I’m expecting that many of the people reading this thread might self-identify as both burners and occupiers .

If you do, you might want to follow #OccupyBurners on twitter and participate!

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By: Huggy Bear

Huggy Bear — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:31 +0000

Burning Man and OWS are each significant, but I agree that they are definitely not the same. I find it useful to think of OWS being primarily about ‘no’ and BM being primarily about ‘yes’, and I don’t believe that construct lessens either group.

I see BM as being primarily about spiritual connection and freedom of expression, while OWS represents the need for social justice and honest relationships between politicians and business leaders. I’ve been to both, and wouldn’t want to see their paths and purposes begin to merge.

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By: Finnegan

Finnegan — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:15:05 +0000

OWS is doing a fantastic job, but they could really use more burner support. They need experience with infrastructure, shelter building, community kitchens, communications, med tents, etc. Burners have this expertise, and we need to share it. Please go join your local OWS today!

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By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:22:23 +0000

I just got back from NYC where I walked around Zuccotti Park, and I did wonder about Burning Man, where I was lucky enough to spend the last two Labor Day weekends. I agree, the connection between this and Burning Man is tenuous. The group on the ground there seems to be much more disenfranchised than the average Burner. I think your point about YES is a good one. What I’d like to see from Burning Man, or Burners, is more active help on the ground, more evangelism of the Burner “Rules of the Road”. Why isn’t that happening? Is there a misalignment of politics, or is there too much apathy, or do the “Rules” not have much value when you’re trying to turn around the banking system? They’re trying, with free libraries, free food, persistence, etc., but they don’t have the tools to turn the banks around. Yes, you can act locally and try to create bank with the attributes you mention, but investors must be satisfied and regulators, too. Full disclosure, my politics align with Occupy Wall Street. They do not align with the voice of Reason, the libertarian streak that runs through Burning Man, nor with the Charter School Movement which your post puts on a pedestal.

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By: Christopher Ray

Christopher Ray — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:07:55 +0000

Hi there My name is Christopher Ray i am a committee leader with OccupySF. I Believe in the differences, you were well put here. The Burner Community for the most part does support our cause, in fact our cause will only make the Burning Man Community Grow and flourish. We ARE BUILDING SOMETHING, and not all the way out in the desert but in the streets of our citys, for the world to see, so they can join and celebrate our coming freedom together. I think its vital for the Burning Man Community to have made this statement, the next step is to bring your innovations and voice forward come to our general assembly, listen to what we are saying, and let your voice be heard we would be proud to have you in San Francisco. After all your movement was Born Here!!

Get in touch with me id like to keep this conversation going!

<3
Blessings
Christopher Ray
facebook.com/christophertheray

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By: Swizzledoop

Swizzledoop — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:36:57 +0000

Poppycock!

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By: Un-Sheepled

Un-Sheepled — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:22:23 +0000

Burning Man is a circle jerk for rich leftists; OWS is a circle jerk for poor leftists.

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By: Marisa

Marisa — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:15:16 +0000

Also, there is no ‘gate’ at OWS keeping people out that can’t afford a ticket. Face it, Burning Man has gone corporate… it hasn’t been worth going to since Jerry died. Burning Man by my calculations grossed well over $10,000,000 last year…. Burning man is a joke and they’re laughing all the way to the bank….lol

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By: Marisa

Marisa — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:00:46 +0000

You’re right. Burning man is no longer free $$$. Occupy Wall Street is.

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By: Fez

Fez — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:45:13 +0000

The post was starting out well, until it descended into the nonsense about saying “no” versus saying “yes” and saying that Geoffrey Canada is better than Occupy Wall Street. Maybe the real reason Burning Man isn’t like Occupy Wall Street is that their media representatives aren’t jerks.

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