Comments on: Burning Man 2008 Art Theme: American Dream

By: Jorad

Jorad — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:10:09 +0000

I've heard that the 2009 BM might be cancelled because this is the last year they can use the land that they do. If they can't find another space for it they would just wait it out until 2010. Does anybody know if there is any truth to that?

By: Thomas Terashima

Thomas Terashima — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:47:53 +0000

Speaking as a member of the Royal Canadian Kilted Yaksman, co-founder of the Fort Kanuckistan theme camp this year, “We are here to reboot America!”

My only real concern now is what the Burning Man organization will do for an encore theme in 2009.

-=TT=-

By: sp dub

sp dub — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:35:49 +0000

well I sure hope all the people involved in organizing the event read this page. Not too many stoked people out there. Most of the comments were very accurate, and this might be the very end of burning man keeping it at least a little bit real. I loved the idea of opening stores and selling everything for cash. Thats the real american dream. Selling out, and stepping on anyone to get to the top, without thinking about anyone but yourself. A very disappointing theme. Can’t wait to see to interpretations.

By: Sanchia

Sanchia — Sun, 25 May 2008 22:33:24 +0000

Hey Guys I have been reading your blog.

I am coming all the way from England to attend BM (I can not wait)

Stuck on ideas for costumes for the American dream theme.

Any Ideas?

Thank you for your help

Sanch

By: Geoffrey O.

Geoffrey O. — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:52:50 +0000

I will admit it’s not the best theme, but it’s better than what one guy said it should be… he said the 2008 theme should have been “Down on the Farm”-wtf?… also what do you think future themes will be?

By: emdub

emdub — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:14:10 +0000

Our camp’s going to have BRC’s first “general store” and sell all kinds of stuff–water, ice, coffee, tshirts, beer, sunscreen, earplugs, and anything else we think might sell out there. But you’d better bring cash, because we don’t take stupid tchotchkes and we don’t take American Express! It’s cash only, baby–the American Dream is alive and well and this year we’re bringing CAMP CAPITALISM to the playa!

By: estetik

estetik — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:01:45 +0000

The American Dream wonâ€™t come back on the Playa. Its nice to have a dream but I think Burning Man needs tangible and realistic goals.

By: getnutri

getnutri — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:07:04 +0000

Oh, and trustafarians? Hahahahano. That’s like saying only spoiled kids of rich parents go to MIT (which has a healthy representation at Burning Man every year).

Some people going to Burning Man do have money they don’t know what to do with. Others pool resources with striking ingenuity. Still others go into major debt (not that I’d know anything about that, oh no) in order to participate.

Not as much of the art at Burning Man gets destroyed as you seem to think.

I’ll stop here.

By: prefabrike

prefabrike — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:41:49 +0000

I know what some of you are thinking, this has to be a prank. Well if so, then the pranksters have access to the Burning Man website and have done a thorough job updating the art theme.

this nice word.. thanx soo much

By: prefabrik

prefabrik — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:46:20 +0000

american dream was an era that passed long time ago. It could only be a nostalgia.

By: aikanae

aikanae — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:38:51 +0000

The variations in what is American or what are the “dreams” are interesting. Just even the concept of “building this country to be a super power” – is that anymore enviable than unbridled greed that’s made Trump an idol? Cheney and Bush’s have more money than they can spend for generations – yet, they are still obsessed with amassing more. People who can’t afford life saving medical care or food buy lottery tickets in the hopes of joining the same ranks.

Everyone wants to come to america to have their shot at grabbing the brass ring of wealth. I think that’s the dream. The american elite.

By: Ian Carcosa

Ian Carcosa — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:04:27 +0000

I think it is an open invitation to Jihadists everywhere!

By: jimmy loyd

jimmy loyd — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:09:38 +0000

I actually thought Green Man was pretty cool… a lot of interesting ideas for themes……BUT….AMERICAN DREAM? Are we supposed to be subjected to “leave it to beaver, ” Elvis’ comeback special and Italian and irish immigrant themes? Not to mention flag waving rednecks eating corn somewhere in Nebraka themes? Or maybe better yet the “Two cars in every garage farce?..How about riding harleys down route 66? I’m an american and also part native american Indian…I’ve got it! A re-creation of the massacre at wounded knee!…..Woudn’t that make for a sad sight…Now even I have forgotten what “dream” I really wanted…..think I’ll smoke another joint…..

By: Cduke

Cduke — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:57:49 +0000

I feel that a cold shoulder has been placed on all our foreign friends that attend this wonderful event….

This year i met over twenty different 1rst years many from outside the states….

Have you ever asked a German what his amerikan dream is?

How single minded of us to insue our nations problems and issues on a single weekly event, ment for togetherness and community. Talk about a wedge……and insiting distane out on the playa this year…

By: aikanae

aikanae — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:49:21 +0000

The handwriting is on the wall. Eight years without having a meaningful voice or expression of viewpoints has left most people feeling more like corked volcanos than any ‘dreamer’. Even on this board skeptical comments are spun into good/bad, right/wrong. I’m not sure the organizers are ready for this time of explosion.

By: Amsterdizam

Amsterdizam — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:28:06 +0000

The day that this country allows me to marry the man I have been with for 6 years, is the day I will be proud of it. Until then, no pride in the good Oleâ€™ US of A marching across this playafied face.

How can you say with an ouce of intelligence, that since the US wont let you marry your boyfriend your not proud of it. C’mon. Thats a pretty self centered view..I mean we have built this county from nothing to become a super power..Obviously youve never served in our military. I wish pot was legal, but you dont see me bashing the country for bad policy. It sucks…But thats one of MANY issues..you should be happy you live in a country that allows you to be a gay. Who cares about marriage…most end in divorce anyway..Youve got it good twinkle toes.

By: Robtastic

Robtastic — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 05:43:15 +0000

Bad bad bad bad bad bad bad bad theme. Jesus. My jaw dropped.

The day that this country allows me to marry the man I have been with for 6 years, is the day I will be proud of it. Until then, no pride in the good Ole’ US of A marching across this playafied face.

I wanted to go to South America anyway. Here’s my chance. Party in Buenos Aires anyone?

By: t o n x . o r g » Blog Archive » do you smell something burning?

t o n x . o r g » Blog Archive » do you smell something burning? — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:33:20 +0000

[...] irrelevant) official “theme” has been announced: American Dream. Laughing Squid has the details and much entertaining commentary from his [...]

By: Mark Smith

Mark Smith — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:00:11 +0000

American Dream is a politically charged theme, and a very poor choice. It is going to degenerate into an anti-war rally, with a thousand people chanting, “F**K BUSH!” and I doubt the event organizers are going to be able to handle it. Incendiary politics and Burning Man do not mix!

By: Carla

Carla — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:59:16 +0000

Try and look at this 2008 theme from a broad perspective. It can be taken many ways and it’ll probably vary from Burner to Burner.

Here’s my take: This will be an election year and it’s the dream of many Americans to defeat the Republicans and this might motivate more Burners to vote. Another dream would be to restore checks and balances and to start respecting the U.S. Constitution.

On another note, achieving the “American Dream,” which many define as owning a home and keeping it, has become more and more difficult since the Bush Administration took over. Foreclosures are up and the middle class population is shrinking.