Burning Man LIVE

Zander was the executive director of The Long Now Foundation, dedicated to long term thinking. He also helped build their library, a book club for the end of the world, with all the titles we would want to rebuild civilization, if needed. He is one of the brains behind the 10,000-Year Clock, designed to tick off the years, and chime the centuries. He’s now co-creating the future of the web at Automattic. He and his team are bringing a library to Black Rock City, to the World’s Fair pavilion under The Man. It’s a refreshing opposite. Like his theme camp inside a refrigerator truck NOT being hot, this library is about NOT being burnt. It’s an ephemeral manual for civilization. We the participants will choose what books to save from burning.Zander shares stories on the effects of books, websites, and rituals, as well as Burning Man’s past, present, and future.This episode is on YouTube here.rosefutures.comBRC Honoraria Art (Burning Man Journal)A group for those who want to participate (Facebook)https://longnow.orgA Pavilion for Tomorrow Today (Burning Man Journal)wikipedia.org/Clock_of_the_Long_NowKevin Kelly: Optimists Create the Future (Burning Man LIVE)Photo by Brendon Hall LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

In this illuminating discussion, guests Dr. Jukka-Pekka Heikkilä, who leads the Burning Stories project, Kiana Kaiser, an AI researcher from Switzerland, and Chad Elish, creator of the Verse-O-Matic poetry camera, dive into AI's transformative role in art at Black Rock City. They explore how AI shifts storytelling, amplifies voices, and enhances creativity while addressing ethical concerns. With personal stories being transformed into unique dialogues, the conversation reveals the beautiful interplay between technology and human expression in a vibrant community.

Kevin Kelly, the founding executive editor of Wired Magazine and a visionary futurist, discusses his radical optimism for the future. He critiques prevalent narratives of utopia and dystopia, introducing the idea of 'protopia'—a focus on incremental progress. The conversation spans the impact of AI on society, the cultural significance of Burning Man, and the power of storytelling to inspire optimism. Kelly encourages a shift towards continuous learning and adaptability as key components for navigating and shaping a brighter future.

Jesse Houck, also known as The Scumfrog, shares his 13 years of DJing at Burning Man, discussing how the festival reshapes DJ culture into something extraordinary. Neil Kelly, The Professor and camp lead at Playa Jazz Cafe, recounts the improvisational magic of jazz in the desert. They dive into the eclectic musical landscape of Black Rock City, from thumping EDM to soulful jazz, illustrating the vibrant community spirit. Their anecdotes highlight the transformative power of music, capturing the unique blend of spontaneity and collaborative expression that defines the Playa.

Leo is a pioneering light artist, bringing teams and tech together to activate buildings, bridges, and bastions. He started Burning in 1994, founded Disorient camp, and is part of Black Rock City every year.Here he shares his journey from crafting a single beacon at his tent to leading monumental art projects that reshaped skylines. He illuminated the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, the historic bridges of London, and projects everywhere from NYC to Tokyo.Join Leo and Stuart on how the open-source innovation of BRC impacts the default world. Leo shares his process for conjuring tech, from customizing LED fixtures to coding sequences. He describes how artists can engage with their communities outside of their comfort zones. He tells stories of the convening power of photons as an artistic medium, as a digital campfire for all.Hear him flip the switch, and stay until the brilliant end.villareal.net/biovillareal.net/urban-scale-artworksburningman.org/about/board-of-directors/#LeoVillarealdisorient.info LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Marisa Winter, a seasoned leader of Thunderdome in Black Rock City, shares over two decades of insights from her experiences in the iconic theme camp. She discusses the art of letting people learn from non-permanent mistakes and emphasizes the importance of community involvement. The dynamics of leadership come alive as she talks about making tough decisions quickly to attract the right individuals. With humorous tales of chaotic interactions and the concept of 'gentile violence,' Marisa offers a captivating glimpse into the world of Thunderdome, combining showmanship with invaluable life lessons.

Most people in Black Rock City live together in placed camps, aka theme camps, the most unique aspect of this unique event. BRC has 1200 camps.At the intersection of Communal Effort, Self-Expression, and Immediacy, theme camps gift a uniquely decommodified ‘third place’ of offerings and ambiance.At this annual symposium, staff and volunteers share how they gift their interactive camps to participants. There’s an art and a science to it. These highlights are about the art of it.Bryant Tan (aka Level Placerman): head of PlacementAndie Grace: Producer in the Philosophical CenterCharlie Dolman: Director of Event OperationsDA (aka Dominic Tinio): Environmental Restoration ManagerHarley K Dubois: Founder & Chief Cultural OfficerStuart Mangrum: Director of the Philosophical Centerand a keen crew of Placement Team volunteers BravoCosmicGovernessHepkittenHuntressKGBRazzmatazzHear how it started, how it’s going, and how Burners create these unique and interactive passion projects. Camps and Placement | Burning ManPlacement: About Us & VolunteeringCamp Support Team | Burning ManDe-bureaucratizing Your Burn (Burning Man LIVE 2025)Charlie Dolman · The Dust is in the Details (Burning Man LIVE 2022)Dark Angel of Black Rock & Restoration Destiny (Burning Man LIVE 2020) LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Solar power is simple now, thanks in part to Burners who gift the power of the sun. The Burners in this episode also gift steamed rolls with savory fillings, called bao — so much delicious bao.The theme camp “Bao Chicka Wow Wow” has been a part of Black Rock City for a decade. Its campmates share the prosperity of bao with artist groups, volunteer teams, and participants lucky enough to find their camp or their pop-up “restaurant row,” all powered by custom solar kits.David Hau (Chairman Bao), Marcus De Paula (Next Level), and their campmates also refined their solar systems to power a charging station for EVs and e-Mutant Vehicles. They share their learnings with neighboring camps, the Temple Builders Guild, and us right here in this episode.This is how to wean off gas generators, or bring more power to your offerings at BRC, your Regional event, your home, or even the collapse of civilized civilization. This conversation is lively and informative. It’s a feel-good story set for foodies and those of us growing into gifting and solar energy.BaoChickaWowWow.comGoGridSystems.comBurning Man 2025: Tomorrow TodayBurning Man Inspires Sustainable Solutions Worldwide (Burning Man Journal)Net Zero Black Rock City 2022 LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Explore the magic monuments of Black Rock City 2025.Katie Hazard, Director of Art, leads the selection, placement, and installation of artwork,  and she leads Burning Man's art grant selection committees. The ARTery is in the center of Black Rock City, slightly offset like the human heart. It’s the epicenter of art support for nearly 400 art pieces, from towering sculptures to immersive environments.Before these art projects are sourced, crafted, and assembled with everything from hot glue to heavy equipment, they are first conceptualized by artists and engineers. Burning Man’s Honoraria project grants 76 of these art projects about half of the funding they need, a total of $1.3 million.  Katie and Stuart explore how to foster accessibility and agency in artist groups. They describe some of the installations coming this summer, from interactive Sphinxes to a sphere of sinks, from a lost troll of sustainability to a fire-spinning pigeon. Some of the experiences include:an inflatable black cloud from Ukrainean Indigenous deer destined for ceremonial landan Afrofuturist pillar with an ancient modern secreta screaming booth that displays visual reactions to sounda woman with a merry-go-round crown, jump rope dreadlocks, and swing earringsListen in on this sonic journey of how Burner art is co-created and curated, and how BRC’s surreal skyline is taking shape.Introducing 2025 BRC Honoraria Art (Burning Man Journal)Black Rock City Honoraria ProgramARTery (Art Services)The ARTery Volunteer TeamsKatie Hazard (Burning Man Journal)2025 Art Theme: Tomorrow TodayBurning Man Art Installation Archive LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Join Louder Charlie, Operations Director at Burning Man Project, and Chef Juke from the DMV Council as they tackle the challenge of streamlining bureaucracy at Burning Man. They reminisce about its anarchic roots while discussing how growth requires structure for safety and creativity. Emotional hurdles post-pandemic are addressed, alongside strategies to simplify mutant vehicle licensing. Can the heart of Burner culture thrive amidst necessary regulations? Tune in for insights on maintaining magic while fostering a welcoming community.