“Really it’s a horrible place for sex; it’s very dusty”: Burning Man — Perceptions v. Reality

What are the first things that come to mind when you think of Burning Man?

Before I went, things such as music, sex, partying, art, spirituality, nudity, and well…drugs came to the forefront. I imagined nude tech CEOs on ecstasy running wild and loads of celebrities posing for instagram shots in amazing outfits before getting airlifted out by their private jets. I also knew there would be all kinds of things and experiences but I thought I had to barter for them, which would have been interesting considering all I could think to bring that wouldn’t melt in the heat were twizzlers.

What I discovered was that yes, these specific personas can be found, but so can countless others.

There is food, culture, learning, people of all ages, nationalities, and socio-economic backgrounds… and that’s not to mention the practice of gifting, NOT bartering. Not only is there no money at Burning Man (except to buy ice), but when you receive something, there are no expectations attached.

**Suj (left), London UK, 1st Burn, meditator, traveller, reader, practitioner of indigenous medicine, Matter (right), Davis California, 17th Burn, therapeutic academic tutor and sports instructor**
“the stereotype is that people are having a lot of sex and it’s a super sexy environment, when really it’s a horrible place for sex; it’s very dirty and dusty”

Each day I experienced activities ranging from yoga, to jewellery-making, to champagne tasting, all brought by people who genuinely enjoyed creating these experiences for others. In a world so focused on money and consumption, to have an entire week where money (and phone service) was no object was quite extraordinary.

The mix of wholesomeness and debauchery was actually rather astonishing. My camp was situated between the ‘Brodega’ where frat-boy types would cheer you on as you quite literally try to throw a ring around a giant dildo, and ‘Voodoo Soup’, which consisted of an older (and seemingly more mature) crowd that served two types of homemade soups a day. You obviously couldn’t get the soup though until you stabbed their giant voodoo doll while envisioning someone you despise.

It almost felt like whatever you wanted would suddenly materialise out of thin air, whether that be bao buns, a giant slide, or a brunch where everyone had to dress in kaftans and act like Tanya from The White Lotus (yes this event did exist and it was awesome).

**Smash LC (right), San Diego California, 2nd Burn, DJ**
“they think there are no morals here and no good things… it’s not mad max”

I would be lying if I said I didn’t see the aforementioned Burning Man stereotypes, but what I also saw was a mobility camp so people with disabilities could experience the event and learned about the Ticket Aid Program which gives tickets to around 5000 low-income attendees each year.

Further, I expected everyone to be very young when in reality, I only spoke to a few other people in their 20s the entire time I was there. This could partially be due to the fact that I was the only person in their 20s in my camp, but I was surprised by the amount of people well into their 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Over the course of the week I heard many critiques of how the event has strayed from its founding principles as it has expanded. There was actually a man in my camp, Dave, who went to the very first Burning Man in Black Rock City in 1991, where the event has been held ever since. Then, there were just 250 people. In 2023, there were 73,000. Obviously the event is different than it was, but something has kept Dave coming. The principles of radical Inclusion, gifting, and decommodification were all very present to me. I guess sometimes you just have to look for it a little bit.

Enough about me. I took the opportunity to interview a variety of burners about what they thought were misconceptions surrounding the event and, depending on the person, a bit more.