Dissent is afoot within the burning man community. What else is new ;). This “we have a dream” petition, and various responses ( larry harvey included), focuses on the apparent lack of inspiring art at the event. A more public proposal and voting system is proposed for burning man art funds distribution. I happen to agree with larry harvey on opposing any formal voting structure. Adding a ‘democratic’ vote process, ignoring implementation issues, is hardly a step toward reduction in bureaucracy. Threads on eplaya like “The decline of burning man“, echo the petition’s sentiments less optimistically.

This fantastic example of bureaurocratic creep brings back memories of nomic as a generic model demonstrating such ‘progress’. In fact, the spirit demonstrated during my various nomic experiences feels deeply similar to that of playa anticipation. Radical self expression, attempts at approaching the (once) minimal rule set with a novel and creative eye, complete disregard for structures embraced by society at large, even a feeling of creating something grander and better suited to the ‘participants’.

Naturally, our games ended in an unrecoverable bureaucratic mess. To all those involved in this inevitable and repetitious debate: it’s the art silly, but don’t upset the spectators, and beware the angry artist — they’ll take your guns away. (… and dogs, and radio stations, and ‘rave’ music, and …) For perspective, here’s a death note from 1997.

Perhaps a spectator-only event (museum?) would solve the problems? No gang related clothing allowed on the premesis.