Why You Should Never Go To Burning Man
Burning Man has become an annual pilgrimage for free spirits and counter-culture enthusiasts.
However, while the concept of building a temporary metropolis in the desert to celebrate art, self-expression, and community may sound idyllic, the reality of Burning Man often fails to live up to the hype.
Beyond the financial investment required, Burning Man poses a number of challenges that make it an event not everyone should attend.
This article will examine the downsides of Burning Man that need to be considered before making the trek to Black Rock City. But first…
What exactly is Burning Man?
Burning Man is a week-long annual event held in the Black Rock Desert of northwest Nevada. Described as an “experimental community,” it draws tens of thousands of attendees who gather to create a temporary metropolis known as Black Rock City. The event gets its name from the ritual burning of a large wooden effigy of “The Man” on the Saturday night before Labor Day.
Burning Man began in 1986 as a bonfire gathering among a small group of artists on San Francisco’s Baker Beach. It eventually relocated to the Black Rock Desert where it continued to grow in size and scope throughout the 1990s.
Today Burning Man incorporates elaborate art installations, theme camps, parades, music performances, and more. The ethos emphasizes radical self-expression, self-reliance, inclusion, and leaving no trace.
Attendees are encouraged to embody the event’s 10 Principles that underpin the Burning Man community, which are as follows:
- Radical Inclusion
- Gifting
- Decommodification
- Radical Self-reliance
- Radical Self-expression
- Communal Effort
- Civic Responsibility
- Leaving No Trace
- Participation
- Immediacy
Briefly, these principles promote inclusion, generosity, community effort, environmental responsibility, participation, and living in the moment when attending Burning Man. They guide behavior and aim to foster a cooperative and creative event experience.
All right, now that you know a bit more about the event, let’s check out some of the reasons why attending might not be in your best interests.
15 reasons why you shouldn’t go to Burning Man
1. Lack of hygiene facilities
Forget daily showers and clean toilets. The desert doesn’t offer such luxuries. You’ll need to ration your water, not just for drinking but for any semblance of cleanliness.
Imagine a week of sweat, dust, and sunscreen building layers on your skin, while the nearest bathroom is a row of port-a-potties baking in the sun. Not exactly a spa retreat.
2. High costs
A ticket alone will set you back several hundred dollars, but that’s just the cover charge. When you factor in food, camping supplies, costumes, and transportation, you’re looking at a bill that can easily hit four figures. If you want to go all out with an RV or join a swanky theme camp, you’re talking even more dough.
3. Uncomfortable sleeping arrangements
You’d better love camping, and not the glamorous kind with Wi-Fi and running water. If your tent doesn’t provide good insulation from the elements, you’ll be subjected to scorching mornings and freezing nights. Don’t forget about the occasional sandstorm that can make your shelter feel more like a giant sandcastle.
4. Harsh weather conditions
The desert does not play around. We’re talking about temperatures that can soar above 100°F during the day and plummet once the sun sets. Add in sandstorms that come out of nowhere, and you’ve got yourself an environment that’s anything but hospitable.
5. Limited food options
You’ll be living off canned goods, energy bars, and whatever else can survive without refrigeration. Cooking elaborate meals isn’t feasible when you’re conserving gas and supplies. Unless you’re thrilled about a diet of canned beans and protein shakes, your palate won’t be singing.
6. Traffic and accessibility issues
Imagine a two-lane road clogged with cars, RVs, and campers, all inching their way towards the same dusty destination. Oh, and once you get there, you’ll need to find a parking spot among the haphazard layouts of camps and art installations. Patience is more than just a virtue here; it’s a necessity.
7. Lack of privacy
Even though Black Rock City covers a large area, it’s crowded. Really crowded. If you’re someone who cherishes personal space, the constant noise, activities, and in-your-face interactions may leave you feeling overwhelmed rather than liberated.
8. Overwhelming choices
There’s so much happening at any given moment that you’re bound to miss out on something epic. While you’re at a drum circle, you could be missing a fire-dancing show. While you’re sleeping, an impromptu parade might pass by your tent. The endless options can be a curse as much as a blessing.
9. No internet or cell reception
If scrolling through your phone is a comfort activity, prepare for a shock. There’s limited cell reception and virtually no internet. For some, it’s liberating; for others, it’s disorienting or even anxiety-inducing to be so disconnected.
10. Environmental impact
Burning Man operates on a “Leave No Trace” policy. Sounds eco-friendly, right? Well, the reality is a little more complicated. The carbon footprint for such an event—think of all those people traveling, burning things, and using generators—is far from green. You might be leaving no trace in the desert, but the environment still takes a hit.
11. Complicated planning required
This isn’t a “show-up-and-chill” event. You have to plan meticulously. From making sure you have enough water to last a week, to figuring out how you’re going to cook or store food, there’s a lot to organize. If planning isn’t your strong suit, this can be more stressful than fun.
12. Emotionally draining
While many attend Burning Man for a spiritual or emotional journey, the extreme environment and lack of creature comforts can turn that journey into an emotional minefield. The intense social interactions, lack of sleep, and physical discomfort can be mentally taxing.
13. Law enforcement and rules
Despite its reputation for freedom and self-expression, Burning Man has rules and regulations that you must follow. There’s a law enforcement presence, and you can be cited or arrested for breaking the law. This isn’t a week-long lawless utopia; accountability still exists.
14. Health risks
We’re not just talking sunburns or dehydration (though those are real concerns). The desert alkaline dust is tough on your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. If you have any preexisting health conditions or allergies, this could aggravate them significantly.
15. Commitment requirements
Once you’re in, you’re in. It’s not like you can just hop in a car and go back home if you’re not having fun. Most likely, you’re relying on a group for resources and transportation, so if things go south, you’re kind of stuck until the end.
Final word
Skipping Burning Man might not earn you a medal, but it could save you from sunburns, sleepless nights, and a very light wallet. Sometimes the best adventure is the one you watch from the comfort of your Instagram feed, double-tapping away on photos of desert sunsets and giant flaming sculptures.
Sure, you won’t come back with tales of dust storms and art cars, but you’ll also avoid the drama of finding out your camping gear isn’t up to the task or discovering that “radical self-reliance” actually means doing a lot of dishes in the desert!
Sometimes, missing out is its own kind of winning.