This chapter explores the increasingly competitive nature of obtaining tickets for Burning Man, sharing personal stories of frantic attempts and pandemic-related challenges. The discussion also examines the shifting dynamics of the festival, its intersection with Silicon Valley culture, and how these changes reflect the event's evolving identity.
For the first time in more than a decade, Burning Man has not sold out.
The gathering prides itself on its counter-cultural roots, and draws tens of thousands of people to the Nevada desert every year for a week of art, music and adventure. But it’s also gradually moved further into the mainstream, becoming a rite of passage for a certain set of Silicon Valley elites. Whether it’s because of last year’s rain, economic strains, or something deeper, one thing is clear: this year, demand for Burning Man tickets is down.
On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg technology reporter Ellen Huet joins host Sarah Holder to grapple with a burning question: has Burning Man peaked?
Read more: Has Burning Man Peaked?
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