Sellouts, Scalpers, & Surrender - Burning Man 2011

[ForestFaerieLaughter]

I love watching and listening to you speak. You have such wisdom and I appreciate you for sharing. Thank you thank you. Love.

[Sioen]

My work is as a laborer, making and carrying mud bricks for the traditional mud-and-bamboo buildings on the site. There will also be a permaculture garden highlighting local biodiversity, and classes to teach these traditional techniques.

So I 'm mighty glad that Burning Man sold out and I found someone not so jaded and unpleasant, who bought my ticket for $1,000, enabling me to make the trip and help make the world a better place.

peaces

[Sioen]

Turns out you don't always have to live in a box of "official nonprofits." I believe organizations can often be the problem, not the solution. I never said anyone HAD to pay for my trip -- I said that like-minded people who thought this was a good thing could help by contributing.

Mostly, though, I just wanted to let you know I am not a scam. I am currently in India doing a 3-month volunteer stint helping build the Dharmalaya Institute, what will be a sustainable community.

[cheeseybum729]

Thank you so much for your words. Let's stay calm and enjoy the love that we feel in that city. Much love to you.

[julian7778]

I still don't understand why the promoters have to make 10 million dollars plus on this event. For a patch of dusty, hot, harsh, desert land. Sure there is some outhouses and staff involved but do the math. Why an event based on love, giving community has to make the few at the top multi multi multi millionaires year over year?

[halcyonstyn]

@julian7778 If you are truly curious, all of the financials are online. The cost of the event is all spelled out. Nobody is getting rich off Burning Man.

[Steelhorsecowboy]

Burning Man "SOLD OUT" pretty much says it all.

[blainque]

You speak with so much love and passion. (:

Ive been a long time "go'er" of a festival called Shambhala here in Canada. This year I was incredibly concerned about the vibe of the festival changing due to certain artists that were going to be there, the tickets selling out etc.. etc..

When I got there I remembered we create our own experience. And had an amazing time.

This year I can't go to Sham because of a wedding. But it will be my first at Burning Man. Hope to see you. Infinite Love.

[halcyonstyn]

@academicroach They started at under $200. Eventually got to $400, I think.

[methcathinone]

@halcyonstyn Ticket prices are tiered. 

[wrongandwrite]

I really like this video. 1st shows how gov always has to take events like this and make it their own. 2nd this seems like a place i'd like to go to once a yr love art n never fit n anywhere. most of my friends are friends witg me cuz im a complete weirdo I guess. traveling vegetarian made video week ago and she was there. just the huge fire in background n word art did it for me! 2012 me and my cousin will be there!

[1234spencer]

This guy gets better and better as the video progresses. Fun. Art. Happening. Now. I want to go!

[halcyonstyn]

@1234spencer See you there! :)

[spicecrop]

the shift is real simple, the shift is towards corporate bullshit just like everything else, in the end anything cool ends up being about money. American greed. Just have your own burning man with your friends somewhere and with the money you save you can do whatever you want.

[halcyonstyn]

@spicecrop Did you go this year? It was magical. And you should check out the regional events popping up that are much smaller and intimate.

[spicecrop]

@halcyonstyn regional events sound good to me. where do I find out about them?

[DripCurlMagic]

thank you for keeping it all in perspective. Reassuring!

[PETETHEMEAT42]

Boy, what a cool young guy.

[halcyonstyn]

@PETETHEMEAT42 Aw, thank you! I turned 40 this year. I like being called young. :P

[Wyzdm]

You ARE a POWERFUL PINK! Thank YOU for expressing what ppl NEED to hear and Understand about Changes on Their Path and how to cope with 'em!

[halcyonstyn]

@Wyzdm It's a pretty important lesson in order to enjoy life! ((hug))

[jackocloud]

very great video thanks for sharing all the best from jacko from the uk

[gradlegirl]

Thank you!

[metahelix]

You sound like an interesting guy, i wish i had the chance to hang out with you at BM. I think it was great this year and i loved the temple.

[halcyonstyn]

@metahelix Temple was AMAZING!

[gravitologist]

SPOT ON! Lets not forget that growth IS transformation... and what better to steer and incubate it than the burner spirit? Hope your burn was more magical than ever! See you next year!

[mrtoastey]

SPEAK IT!

[swankrecords]

Lock your doors at Burning Man? I did. Some people who came on the last two days looked questionable. Then there were the undercover cop stories. 

[HigherWaysWoman]

Hello Halcyon...enjoyed listening to your words of wisdom You are quite down to earth & highly realistic about the way things are, have been & can be. You speak w/alot of Clarity in Your Eyes & Soul. Listening 2 u & walking along w/u in ur thoughts...was quite refreshing. So much absolute Wisdom u r correct to not allow sumthng as imprtnt as Burning Man 2 become industrialized wher its death will b ensured. Lrg growth is a tircky business, I hope B.Man can survive its growth. Thanks 4 shar'g!

[halcyonstyn]

@HigherWaysWoman Thank you! And yes, tricky indeed. Luckily, this year was as magical as it has ever been!

[JLight419]

@halcyonstyn I have watched a couple of your videos and you are right on. I was transformed 12 years ago and will never not go. Each year is a new experience and a new opportunity to help show ourselves and others how much we can all grow through cooperation and perseverance in our do ocracy. I had a great time this year and the Flaming Lotus Girls were off the hook. I hope someday to sit an talk with you. Sincerely, Firelight

[Dawgmeatt]

Wait, so what's actually stopping people from driving around the gate or what ever and just parking at some random place and enjoying?

[Lightrider4444]

There is no escape from the abusive monetary system. Look into a Resource Based Economy and the Zeitgeist Movement to transition into a better world for all people. thevenusproject com

[Passual08]

The reason I say hopefully is because I'm still deciding what next Summer will look like... If I do decide to go, I'll buy my ticket early...

[Passual08]

Very excellent!!! One bad apple doesn't necessarily have to spoil the bunch. I didn't even know this event existed until I met two girls here in Portland who were doing a road trip with a group of people, visiting Oregon and some other states until Burning man starts. I am looking forward to hopefully attending next year! Never saw myself as an artist, tho I am a great writer. It'll be fun to explore that side of my potential!

[thezep786]

I live in austin (central texas) and we have an AMAZING regional community, we have flipside (they cap tickets out at 2500) and also we have regional burns around every few months it seems (usually with around 300-500 people) we have an event this weekend called orfunner (at the same time as burning man) so although its a big disappointment I dont get to make it to the big burn this year, I still get to burn with alot of my regional family, it gives you a great sense of community

[whohaa1]

You know what is really funny ... your opinion is like an ASSHOLE .... everyone has one ... and your opinion speaks nothing but a bunch of crap!!!! ramble ramble ramble ramble .... pause pause pause .... how much acid have you done?????

[gratonite]

@whohaa1 -- I think you would benefit from a little acid, you're cranky. I have never and likely won't ever attend Burning Man, but this Halcyon guy makes perfect sense.

[halcyonstyn]

@whohaa1 Agree 100%.  I share my opinion every Tuesday. It's not for everyone. Be well.

[Narakafurin]

Truth.



[yellleprechaun]

u r awsome man i wish me and my girlfriend could go so bad im from boston and cant find a ticket for anything less than 600$ sucks but ya thats life i guess . PLUR Life peace. Hippie

[propjam2]

I'M LOOKING FOR TICKETS!

[sonofdamocles]

Here's a better idea: break it up, start your own. You hippies got no initiative.

[mneres]

awesome speech. Inspiring.

[halcyonstyn]

@mneres Thank you!! ((HUG))

[mendocruise]

add me I would love to hang with anyone chill facebookmendos@gmail.com first burn but love the stories through the years of close friends and family!! CAN"T WAIT!!!!

[mendocruise]

DAMN BALLER !!! I got my ticket well actually I have two already seated though awesome!!!!!

[MrCheesemaster3]

I ve been going home since 2006 and i def have brought and taught plenty of virgins and tried to pass the values that i learned and experienced out there to the newbs....i was a newb once, an i still feel young even though im about to be six in playa years, i know that i have a job as a BLACK ROCK CITIZEN to pass the core values that have been instilled in me, to keep the spirit of the burn and the essense alive in the dust. The Question is will the CAP get bigger? and if so to what size?

[kitkel4]

Just lovely! I see myself on the playa in 2012!

[GizmoGuy21]

As always, an articulate, perceptive, and interesting take on things.

[amirjafari110]

Isn't there some massive drama every year? Remember 2007 when that guy burned The Man early? Let's roll with the punches and keep burning.

[ianmacktube]

Nice thoughts... thanks for putting it in perspective. See you on the Playa!

[enrgylife]

I have 100 tickets for sale $750 each bitches, YOU WILL PAY! Fuck buring man!

[layinloww]

Thank you! I bought my ticket early and can't wait to be on the Playa!

[utuberhino]

Words of Wisdom.

[halcyonstyn]

@utuberhino Thank you! See you in the dust?

[benitod327]

Thank you for this. I was one of those people that were saying "Ugh, scalpers have invaded" or "Ugh, the newbies aren't listening to the 'old-timers'".....but the part about making it the best it can be is what I really needed. Much love -GOLDEN BUDDHA.

[halcyonstyn]

@benitod327 ((HUG))

[landerzoo]

finally burning man sells out - and it's the participants themselves who are doing the selling-out. the borg has been diluting the population by marketing to the mass media - old burners leave and close to 70% of the people out there are spectators who would rather have a nice little profit than attend the event = THE END!

[gavinlura]

I guess I would feel like a d bag paying more than face value...

[gavinlura]

I have the stacks to blow on a scalped ticket. For instance, if you didn't have the luxury of knowing if you were gona b in the country or not until now and had these stacks, would you or wouldnt you blow them on a scalped ticket? if it was the only way...

[halcyonstyn]

@gavinlura Looks like tickets are stablizing around 700 or so. I would probably wait another week, then pay it if I didn't have a ticket.

[SPKaa]

Thanks for this! My paraphrase of your video: Everyone tossing their hands in the air, bitching, and proclaiming the end suffer from one thing, really: attachment syndrome. They're attached to what something was (and their expectations it will remain unchanging) as well as abdicating their role in riding the change and making it even better. see you in the duuuussstttttt... Gandhi Wizard

[Fabigothangel]

BM Headquaeter screwd up because they sold bulk of tickets to people when I was always forced not to buy more than 2 per Credit Card ... In Different towns they have bulks of tickets to sell......You should tell the things the way they are .... They say they have a cap of 50.000 peeps this year .. last year we had 64.000 peeps. How did you work out your numbers this yar why coudn't you tell people how many tickets were available? I still have to pay $1000. for mine and I'd like to have answer

[Fabigothangel]

Hi there, you are sitting down all relaxed with your nice ticket try to make sense of all this mess that BM HQ caused.

I'm 11 years burner I've always bought my ticket for my B'Day August 7th ... never had a problem before... Now I'm forced to pay $1000 for one because I'm responsible of an L.A. crew... just say the fact as it is BM organization screwed up big time this year ! And you can't blame the people that didn't buy the tickets on time .THAT IS NOT IN BM SPIRIT! Fabulus

[halcyonstyn]

@Fabigothangel I'm confused. I agree that there is lots of people who are having to deal with an unexpected hardship. But how did BM screw up?

[tracymccracken68]

@Fabigothangel

you're not forced to do ANYTHING but have a knowledge, if you really are a long time burner... MANIFEST IT... c'mon, this is the magic of the PLAYA!! Change your heart, your ticket will appear. this is an ANCIENT philosophy... burners have brought it back to life.. create it in your mind, and then I'll meet ya on the playa . K?! :)

[eincasso]

You rule. never been and i'm not going. but i like yer perspective. thanks.

[vikio452]

You get "The Jon Stewart Award for Common Sense", also an award for best use of the word "Icky". And a HUG of course.

I do NOT have a ticket...because anything over $300 was too expensive, but I have faith that I will get one in the next few weeks. See you in Black Rock City everyone!

[halcyonstyn]

@vikio452 Thank you! I have Faith too. See you at Home.

[OMPrincessWildflower]

Great video, thank you.....and this years theme is called Rites of Passage..which it sounds like is exactly what is happening......I mean manifesting....

[FaerieMeadow]

Thank you for putting that all so plainly. I got my ticket months and months back and am so excited to get back home this year, but I feel for everyone who got caught up in the very same "get a ticket later b/c it'll cost a lot no matter what" mentality that you mentioned. If the awful manipulative scalping has inspired anything inside of me it is to give more of myself this year than I did the last; sabotage assholes with LOVE.

[namelesssavage]

i'm not mad, i'm just disappointed.

[TheBradosaurus]

Cool thoughts. After 11 years of burning, I find it very funny that burners still !!!LOVE!!! to say "It's not like the old days. I was here when Burning Man was good. Now it's just a bunch of newbie assholes." --I've heard 2-year "veterans" say this!

I call BS. Folks are just trying to fit it with the "Old-timers" (i.e. "I went to BM four or more years ago, so I am your burn-tilectual superior"). Self-gratifying ego crap. Reach out and guide the noobs... Like 11-year me :)

[mitchellagomez]

There is a reason that radical inclusion is the first principle. I want Black Rock to be a City of a million people some day. Burn bright John. See you in 2012.

[video4wine]

I decided for what ever reasons not to go 2009, and ended up with family and friends on Black's Beach with about 300 Burners the night of the Burn. It was darling! (Bet that beach will be swamped this year)

I highly advise it - also the web casting and blog that year was great. I promised to run the camera last year but could not find it. If someone needs help running it I would volunteer - see below. It is the eye on Burning Man for the thousands not there.

[subutterfly73]

the tourists will run in fear when the winds pick up and they cant find some place to buy dinner

[AFsurferpunk11]

keep em' coming Halcyon!! I dig your updates!!!!!! CU THAIR KD XD

[SANITIZEDINC]

"And there's windstorms and there's assholes." LOL. You're on a comic roll today John.

[halcyonstyn]

@SANITIZEDINC :P I have fun. :)

[boojum402]

@SANITIZEDINC So true, just like everything else. It is all Windstorms and Assholes.

[SANITIZEDINC]

"I don't mean to brag but I have a ticket" LOL. Awesome.

- Buff

[MichaelWolffhechel]

Right on the money - thanx!!

[dstonick]

I love listening to you, you always have a great way of seeing the world. There's "icky" and there's "AMAZING".

[halcyonstyn]

@dstonick <3 :) 

[Sioen]

If you're going to buy a ticket on eBay, you should check my auction out. I'm a long-time burner, not a scalper, but I'm using the sell-out to raise money so I can spend 6 months volunteering with Tibetan refugees in India.

If you're gonna spend $1,000 on a Burning Man ticket, give the money to charity!

Search for "burning man benefit" on eBay and you'll find my ticket auction. It ends Friday, August 29 at 5 p.m.

[Fuckyourrainbow]

@Sioen Ugh. You seem like a scam dude! Why in the world should someone pay for your trip!?! You're not even referencing an official nonprofit and such that you work with. Why? Because it's bullshit!

[WickedOneHundred]

I am one of those newbies that are mentioned and I can say with all the tenuous muscle of my heart that I believe this year selling out, Rites of Passage theme, and purely our world as it stands is all connected. Those "tourists" will be there yes, but also with those new tourists we have a plethra of new wonderfully creative and loving people who are there to change and be changed. I see as more friendships and hugs, 60,000 you say? BRING IT. See you in the dust Halcyon ;)

[halcyonstyn]

@WickedOneHundred We've been waiting for you. Welcome Home. :)

[playonpro]

i think that next year tickets should be printed with the purchaser's name on it.

[deanaoxo]

It's not a vacation, it's an adventure!

[KursiveKush]

One of these years, I  swear I'll be there.

[alycat231]

i hope im part of the awesomeness and not the ickyness

[halcyonstyn]

@alycat231 You=Awesomeness

[Rompen1]

You made a lot of sense until you use Christianity as an example of something both good and bad. The Nazis made the trains run on time too... But Christianity throughout history has supported everything from genocide to slavery. Bad analogy.

[halcyonstyn]

@Rompen1 Welllll, we'll have to agree to disagree. I've known many amazing Christians.

[MollieStar]

Thank You :)

[halcyonstyn]

@MollieStar ((HUG))!

[LindseyRaeFace]

Well spoken, thanks for helping to calm the storm.

[halcyonstyn]

@LindseyRaeFace My pleasure! Thank you.

[Chefn84t]

Where are you camping? It'd be cool to meet you in person, understand if you don't want to disclose that though.

[halcyonstyn]

@Chefn84t 9:30 & Esplanade! Pink Heart Camp . I'm doing HUgNation on Tuesday at 1 & leading a pink pike ride from Pink Heart on thursday at noon. :)

[k283cst]

Praise God a man like you is in this world. Stay strong in the struggle.

[halcyonstyn]

@k283cst ((HUG))

[dwanjabi]

RIGHT ON

[ZAPStratosphere]

hey, thanks for speaking what Ive been thinking

WE are burningman, so its what WE make it.... thanks again bro, have fun at the burn, see you next year

[gizzad]

DUDE YEAH!!!!

[tonycr1sp]

I <3 U!

[inxsingh]

if you are meant to be there, you wil be and if not the universe will push your energy into another more useful (if not equally transformative) space. You go when the playa speaks to you. You DO NOT go if you have a ticket.

[Spunjo1221]

I don't have a ticket and have never been to BM and I wasn't planning on going, but I liked your rant.

[creevamp13]

Well said you lovely creature!! I won't be there, I am jealous, I accept full responsibility for that, I will be there in 2012!! Long Live BRC. :)

[djkidgorilla]

Thanks for reminding me the one lesson the playa taught me: Be. Here. Now.



[peaklightimages]

Rites of passage are often tougher than we imagine. Perhaps there was too little dust in 2010!

The skies are going to be filled with parachutes! In a while, a whole "Dive In" industry is going to wratchet up publicity and prices for this burning man admission loophole...

[Mexikun]

I'm a virgin this year, and I'm determined to bring nothing but tastiness to the Playa, rather than ickyness. I hope to succeed. I just raided the womens section today and got an awesome silver jacket that I turned into a sweet vest. I'm excited. EL wire on the way, and I'm figuring out how to make a shade structure. :)

[misspageturner]

There's a way higher ratio of ickyness to awesomeness here...I'm ready to be on the playa...

[klone138]

I completely agree Halcyon.

[FuzzyWobble]

positive and insightful input!

i put off buying a ticket because of lingering health problems and now have missed my opportunity. im sad. i dont feel burningman should be an 'exclusive' party. i feel everyone should have an opportunity to go regardless if they are a procrastinating hippie. the best party in Canada (Shambhala) also sold out this year and has become subject to many scalpers and scams. ive been to parties all over the planet and there is none like BurningMan - now i cant go.

[frizzzzzzal]

I hear it wont be as good as last year, i hear it will be the last year. I hear... duh burning man... hippies? ... people shouldn't have procrastinated and just bought some tickets

[frizzzzzzal]

I hear it wont be as good as last year, i hear it will be the last year. I hear... duh burning man... hippies?

[wendeo]

The amazing/ickyness ratio... yes indeed - this is gonna be the BEST YEAR YET!

(glad to say, i had my ticket in hand March 1st, after submitting a 2 page essay.) Currently esconsed in 3 cool PlayaProjects, taking the early entry/late departure option. There are absolutely options out there for the "Transitional Beings" wishing to be admited. A BurningManTicket reads: "Admit One Transitional Being" IMHO any one selling or buying a ticket for 10 or 25K... have a long haul on that journey...

[IChoseTheRedPill]

i checked out ebay while watching your vid and discovered that you weren't kidding, i found a buy it now for 3 grand some as low as 495.00 for a single ticket on bid... i hope i can make it to burning man one year, i'll visualize it... i enjoy your vids Halcyon...

take good care and PeaCe2U

Kensho

[kr4nyc]

Hey there - I totally agree with you, Halcyon! I have an unusual amount of burner friends who are scrambling now. NOW! ?? We all saw the first 2 tiers blow out in 2 days. That was the clue, people! Oh well, next year will be a 3 day chase on opening day, and that will be that. Scalpers will horde, slow peeps will be crying.