This chapter examines the shifting dynamics of Burning Man, focusing on its ties to Silicon Valley and the decline in ticket sales for the first time in over a decade. It discusses factors like rising costs, adverse weather, and the influx of new attendees, exploring what these changes mean for the festival's future and its community.
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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