Comments on: The Pffffft Principle vs. The Playa

By: John "Halcyon" Styn

John "Halcyon" Styn — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:50:14 +0000

@MissGo – you’ve made my heart sing. So looking forward to a dusty hug!! <3

By: Miss_GO

Miss_GO — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 01:39:48 +0000

Halcyon!! )”(
I was thinking of not going this year.. For the first time in ten years I was on the fence. My camp members from Cool Aid Oasis did not get tickets or a placement, so I tried to sell my ticket and strangely, nobody would buy it. I contacted the Burning Staff so see about changing the name on my Will Call ticket and 3 weeks went by without a response. Then, something magical happened. Friends started getting tickets! Within 24 hours, 6 of my nearest and dearest informed me that they’d be making the journey home again. I was on the phone with one as he purchased one of the 1000 extra tickets in the sale. His computer had crashed and he thought all hope was lost. “it’s too late GO” “Stay positive man!” I said. Not 2 minutes later, the window opened and he purchased a ticket. Success!!!
I have been keeping up with your blogs for years now. I post them on my FB to help virgins who need tips and tricks. It was your blog post with the Tuesday discussion that changed my mind. I closed my eyes and I remembered Tuesday last year. I remembered the view from the man, the giggles that escaped from under my scarf as we climbed the stairs, and I remembered how much I love being home. As I watched your video, tears streamed down my face and that old familiar joy filled my heart. I decided to return. I love your videos!! Thank you for inspiring and informing me year after year.
Much love and light and I look forward to seeing you on the playa at Hug Nation! I’d like the chance to thank you in person.

)”( Miss GO

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By: Jet

Jet — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 02:03:00 +0000

I dream of a world world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.

If you look for good you will find it. You can create heaven or hell on Earth, pick one, choose wisely.

/hugs for all

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By: jlevasseur06

jlevasseur06 — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:08:17 +0000

Individuals are negative towards others, because they don’t feel good about themselves. This has nothing to do with John and everything to do with them. Here’s a tip. If you look for good, you will find it. We choose the way we see the world.

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By: John "Halcyon" Styn

John "Halcyon" Styn — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:41:05 +0000

Well said, Joshua.
And thank you, @Renegade…I hope we get to meet soon. :)

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By: RenegadeXO

RenegadeXO — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:31:57 +0000

John, while we have never met, I have appreciated your words and your contributions for some time. You have a beautiful spirit, and I’m especially impressed at how you respond to people who attack you or what you believe in. To Mika and Thermal, I would echo what Joshua said. You will always find negatives if you are looking for them. You are framing your opinions (right or wrong) not as as constructive criticism but as an attack on those who choose to see the beautiful side of Burning Man. I ask you, for what purpose?

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By: Joshua

Joshua — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 07:21:50 +0000

@Mika / @Thermal

The secret to life is happiness.
Halcyon – and thousands of his friends, (myself included)…have found great happiness in this ritual, family, voyage, rite of passage, and canvas…this freedom space to create…

If it doesn’t make you happy – then find something that does.
But don’t shit on our parade man.
Pffffft. Right? Exactly.

See you in the dust brother John )’(

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By: John "Halcyon" Styn

John "Halcyon" Styn — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 02:50:26 +0000

@Thermal -
I’m still genuinely interested in what places or communities are more giving. Black Rock City is the place I have experienced it more profoundly than anywhere else. Is it full of saints? Of course not! But as cities go, I’m pretty impressed with the ratio of selfishness vs. sharing.
The Playa is the place that taught me the joy in giving to others. It is what inspired me to create a monthly charity event 1stSaturdays.org and changed my life in significant ways.
Many people I know have been inspired by the “community of support” that inspired this conversation to pursue their own paths of activism and change in cities and societies much less focussed on giving.

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By: Thermal

Thermal — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 23:41:20 +0000

and to add to my last note… some may point out that social and environmental activists do attend BMan. That may be, but I suspect they are a small portion of the population of attendees. All the people I know who are really working on social and environmental issues are far too busy and engaged in their issue to attend this event.

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By: Thermal

Thermal — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 23:35:14 +0000

another re to John: Burners may spend alot of money on making art and entertaining people with music, and otherwise building a city every year. But if you think that burners “contribute more…for others…than anywhere else in the western world”, you are missing alot. There are alot of people who give their time, energy and money to causes, such as environmental or social issues. There are more ways to give to others than building a cool sculpture or running a theme camp. There are collaborative groups as well as individuals working on complex issues, all for the goal of improving the world. Doing for others goes far beyond making a cool mini-city every August (and, yes, the mini-soceity that goes with it). In fact, all those people and groups that I mentioned work very hard tackling much tougher issues, all without the fun bits you encounter at BMan.

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