Greetings!

If this is your first missive from me... Hi, I’m Charlie Dolman, Burning Man's Event Operations Director since 2012. Last year I sent out a series of informative (and fun!) pre-playa emails to help folks headed to Black Rock City make their desert experience better. I’ve volunteered to do the same this year, and what you’re about to delve into is the first of my five messages for 2018.

Off-playa Charlie vs. On-playa Charlie

If this isn’t the first time you’ve heard from me, hello again and welcome back. I’ll have some brand new information to cover in these five emails, but first I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who read my emails last year and upped their playa game.

Specifically, here’s how YOU helped make Black Rock City a better place in 2017:

-- You brought Playa First Aid Kits (and actually used them instead of going to Emergency Services for minor boo-boos). Thanks for being prepared;

-- Your contributions of time were noticed and deeply appreciated. Thank you for not being a tourist but an active participant, a true Black Rock Citizen. I’m happy to report there was an uptick in volunteerism in 2017;

And here’s the big one...

-- There was a significant decrease in MOOP (“Matter Out Of Place”). Thank you for not letting it hit the playa and for picking it up when it did. Let’s keep the magic going in 2018 and beyond!

That’s the good news. I don’t want to say there’s bad news, but there’s still work to be done.

If you’re already part of the Burning Man community, the next items are probably “givens” to you at this point, though they might not be. In either case please keep reading, as this is information you can share with new people in your camp. Because, as you know, our community’s best cultural ambassadors are experienced Burners like you.

For all of you coming to the desert for the first time (the people who are sometimes referred to as “Newbies” or “Burgins,” the Burning Man virgins), A.) yay! welcome! and B.) please hear me out. I’m about to pull back the curtain a little to give you insight on how Black Rock Citizens act and what’s expected of you.

Today I am going to cover personal responsibility. (Wait, don’t go. This really is important.)

At Burning Man, personal responsibility encompasses everything from volunteering to consent (I’ll dig deep on that in a future email) and from leaving no trace to making educated decisions for what you put in your body (e.g. drugs).

When each of us takes responsibility for ourselves, for those around us, and for Black Rock City as a whole, Burning Man is just better. Your ticket to Burning Man isn’t an all-access pass to a festival -- it’s a commitment to build and live in a city together.

Burning Man is your opportunity to practice being your best self. It's about owning your actions and not leaving problems to be solved by others. (And, trust me, the environment out there is harsh. You may not feel like being your best self at all times.)

Here’s an example:

Did you know that 3,754 bicycles were abandoned on the playa last year? That’s more than double the number than in 2016! Our bike team was completely overwhelmed by the all the two-wheeled traces left after the end of the event. No matter how you look at it, that’s just not cool.

Do the right thing: Either take your bike home or donate it. (Read the upcoming special edition Jackrabbit Speaks dedicated to bikes for the info). It’s really that easy. Just don’t leave it for someone else to deal with, please. Be part of the solution, not the problem.

Ok, I know that’s some heavy stuff, so I am going to wrap this up on a high note. Being your best self also means being responsible for your own FUN.

At Burning Man, you can be the artist, you can be the curator, you can be the builder, you can actively engage with art, and you can be the art. Give yourself permission to play!

Burning Man isn’t a passive recreational activity like a concert. It’s an active one like mountain climbing or rafting. You don’t go rafting and expect other people to paddle for you. You don’t go mountain climbing and spend all your time just staring at the mountain waiting to be entertained. You get active, you get engaged. In Black Rock City, you build, you make, you share, you connect.

You, yes YOU!

Until next time,

Charlie “Louder!”** Dolman

P.S. In your next email from me, I’ll talk about one of our more unusual Principles and why it’s so awesome.

**My playa name is Louder! Charlie because I talk quietly.

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Burning Man Project • 660 Alabama St. San Francisco, CA 94110 • 415-865-3800
Burning Man Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, tax ID 45-2638273.
All contributions are fully tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.