The Irony of Burning Man

by Captian Paul Watson

What better place to illustrate the contradictions of climate change than Burning Man.

Burning Man is a social phenomenon. It was established in 1986. Lots of people like it, lots of people are involved with it and as a social event it has been relatively harmless, artistically educational and lots of fun. Sort of a playtime fantasy event for millionaires.

Burning Man was founded with the following stated principles: radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification, self-reliance, radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leaving no trace, civic responsibility, participation, and immediacy.

All valid moral principles but at the same time there are contradictions like the use of private jets by privileged attendees, single use plastic, widespread use of private gas-powered generators and a very liberal use of propane for displays.

To be fair, the organizers are wellaware of these contradictions and strive to address the issues without compromising the ambience of the festival. It’s not easy.

One of the principles that Burning Man holds, in fact the first principle of eleven principles is radical inclusion. The third principle is radical self-expression.

On Monday, August 31st, there was a demonstration by climate change activists on the road leading into the desert site where the festival takes place. The protest organized by the Seven Circles Group and Extinction Rebellion staged a classic non-violent protest by blocking the road with a trailer, signs, and their bodies.

As the line of cars began to back up for miles, many of the attendees became quite angry. The police were called, the protestors were roughly handled, and the blockade was removed.

None of this was unexpected by the protestors. Getting busted and roughed up by the police is not unusual for climate change activists.

What I found shocking however was the vitriol and rage expressed by people who were temporarily inconvenienced with a bevy of people posting social media comments complimenting the police for roughing up the activists, demanding they be jailed and even shot.

How dare they protest Burning Man?

What I did notice is that vehicles could easily have driven off the road slightly and around the protestors. Or they could have waited it out and even considering the cause, supported the action as a legitimate form of social protest in the spirit of Burning Man.

In fact, of all the displays and participation, creativity and art, the blockade by Extinction Rebellion and Seven Circles was perhaps the most valid and real for this year’s Burning Man.

The protest fell neatly into the principles of radical inclusion and radical self- expression. It also fits perfectly with the principles of communal effort, civic responsibility, participation, and immediacy.

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