laughingsquid.com/burning-man-protest-protested-by-burning-man-protesters
What's really strange is that during the protest, other Burning Man participants came out of the Burning Man office to protest the protesters. The double protest took place yesterday during weekend long Burning Man Regional Summit.
that counter-protest was really, really stupid and frustrating to watch. It's unfortunate that what could have lead to a productive discussion was torpedoed by a few annoying individuals who felt cocophony-esque bullshit is a way to deal with legitimate worker concerns. Maybe the DPW should engage in a little wildcat strike action next year, and let these assholes do some work. Somehow I doubt they'll have time for passive agressive hugging, and protesting the protestors when they're sweating their bags off. And what the fuck kind of dog was that outside of the office near the end of the video? It looked like somebody had tacked a poodle head onto a dalmation.
It was just a Gen X attempt at establishing something akin to Woodstock on an annual basis. Through the years it has consistently confirmed that it is nothing more than a "consumer event" despite the decalration of festival organizers that is wasn't /isn't. The only people who talked it up were a bunch of trust-a-farians and their hangers-on but even they , (as they age and realize they were suckers), shy away from the topic now. Hopefully they realize that are a lot easier ways to hook up with chicks than shell out bucks to "Be Cool" at "Burning Man". As time goes by people should be embarrassed to openly admit that they even attended this "happening".
This leads me to believe the protesters have valid griefs, and as such should be looked into by the appropriate authorities. The counter protest looked like nothing but a bunch of childish clowns trying to score brownie points with their bosses.
Worker pay has not been cut in half, but it *was* reduced, and the crew has nearly doubled in headcount. Also, this only applies to the people who stay for clean-up.
This includes drunk driving through camping areas, smashing a huge vehicle into a building belonging to a group with whom he had a beef, reckless driving along the event's pedestrian esplanade, etc.
This guy might be a total asshole, but did BMORG cut pay? Do they not take proper care of workers injured on the job? As for the issue of having a bigger crew, I don't see how that justifies lower pay. These are questions that need to be answered, and frankly after such a shitty display on the part of those regional reps, Larry should make a statement.
I have never been to BRC, but everything said by the protesters seems to fly in the face of the whole concept. I've heard that "leave no trace" applies to all camping (and all life for that matter). Maybe "doctors without borders" would provide medical care.
And just announcing that people having sex with board members get paid more without any proof isn't really riling me up either. I want to hear directly from people who have specifically been hurt by the LLC with proof regarding what happened to them, not maybe-I'm-not-sure stories from their friends. Otherwise, this whole thing just sounds like some angry ex-emploees with a grudge.
SE ( International Alliance Of Theatrical Stage Employees ) Check with any local to find out which one would have jurisdiction over the California region in which Burning Man produces it 's main event.
I'm not saying there isn't more to the story, but I *am* saying that we should be hearing more of the story before deciding we all know exactly what happened. And I'm not trying to "swiftboaty" smear anyone, I just want to see other sources on this stuff besides a couple of pissed off ex employees.
He died before the event in 2001 and it was f-ing devastating. The way he died was dumb and due to the lack of forsight by many. The behavior that caused it is now utterly forbidden and will get you a face full of enraged veteran DPWer if you try it. His death should not be used in conjuncture with this debate and it is horrible that Caleb is doing so. Craigs death, if it must be used for a cause, it should be for vehicle safety education and responsable vehicle usage, not this.
A quote - "The first fatality was a DPW volunteer who died in a motor vehicle accident on the highway a few days before the event." If I get in a car accident on my way to work, my employer won't settle my expenses, either. That's what my personal medical/auto/disability insurance is for. I'm not saying that these workers don't have valid complaints - they certainly may... Watching this video was like watching a train wreck in slow motion... As far as injury at the event itself goes - read your ticket! And, as for the low wages - if you are in it for the money, Burning Man DPW is not the right place to look. Everyone I know who volunteers does it for love of the event, and out of their own desire to contribute - and they would continue doing it, even for no money at all. Digging fence posts and picking up trash is not going to make you rich - no matter WHO you work for... but if you are unhappy about the unfair wages you are receiving, then you have the right to find a new job. It was just a horrible flu gone wild - perpetuated and spread by a thousand people kissing each other on the mouth, sharing water bottles, and staying up too late in the cold.
He was crushed when the cargo shifted, so in fact he was on the job at the time. These deets are not in the report, but something I heard directly from a DPW employee before the event. I am most likely to take the side of BM, because I think that at their core the organizers are all smart, caring, responsible individuals. What I saw in that video, however, was a well-spoken protester voicing legitimate concerns who was then confronted by a bunch of dinks who had the nerve to mock people talking about issues of safety and lively-hood. If they are Burning Man reps, then they are acting on behalf of the organization. If the organization disapproves of their behavior, then they should step forward and say so, and seriously consider if they want individuals such as this acting for them in the regions. Verbal, are you saying that people who do the dirty work after the event don't deserve a fair wage? Should the organizers take a cut in pay so that it could be said of them that they are just doing it for the love of the event? the event is big enough that it can't live on volunteers alone, and it's pay scale needs to be in line with comparable types of work. Frankly I think they can act like assholes, but it doesn't mean I don't think they should be compensated fairly, and their safety be of major concern. I don't want to see Burning Man officials act like a bunch of retards when it comes to serious issues like this.
Maybe we will never grow to the numbers BM has GOOD it forces us to VOLUNTEER! Meaning it is alot of hard work and no pay will definately help keep the weeds of non-doers OUT.
I will mention that Shooter DID work full-time for the LLC at the ranch for many months, including being part of the tiny crew that maintained the work ranch in the dead of the Nevada winter, so he certainly has a different perspective than the volunteer-for-a-few-weeks folks. However, some of the stuff being brought up in this discussion needs to be addressed. I worked DPW that year, I knew Craig a little, knew the driver of the truck a lot more. Craig was riding on the back of a flatbed that was hauling someone's personal trailer because he specifically WANTED to. It had nothing to do with work - he was getting a ride from the work ranch to the playa in the early evening and chose to ride on the flatbed instead of the cab, bcause standing on the back of a truck zooming down the highway is relly, really fun. People did shit like that all the time back then, and the danger was part of the thrill and an accepted fact. And predictably, the tragic accident that occured put it all to a stop. In hindsight, yeah, it was a bad decision on his part and maybe the driver's to let him do it - there's a big difference between being in the back of a pickup and a flatbed hauling a big ass trailer. But in the end, he took the risk on his own and ...
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