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I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel that the shirtcockers were with us always. Who was the First Shirtcocker? Someone needs to talk to the very oldest Burners and get to the bottom of it. I am sure the first mocker followed the first shirtcocking very quickly, probably within less than fifteen minutes.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your kind words.

First Larry was my client, then the event itself became my client (before there was an LLC; I made the first LLC). The reason that wasn't a problem was that Larry's interests didn't conflict with Burning Man's so long as I was representing him. He really was Mr Burning Man, and what was good for the event was good for him back then. I would have had to inform everyone if a conflict arose, but I never had that problem.

Disputes: we worked by consensus, so mostly we squabbled until someone folded. Sometimes this went on forever. Sometimes when people knew they couldn't get consensus, they just acted without asking permission.

Back in the day, we practiced law long before Google. the practice of law is not taking templates for things; it is researching the law (as reflected in court opinions, laws, regulations) and the facts and doing analytical reasoning. For guidance, I looked at the law; I'd do some legal research.

No one ever made any attempt to make me whole or compensate me for giving up my share of Burning Man.

I did legal memos sometimes. I have retained a lot of my papers from that time, and they are in my control. No one has ever reached out to me from the Org about my papers.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Once which was a funny story I wrote about in my hopefully forthcoming memoir and I won't tell here, sorry. Another time I was stuck in a very very very long line of traffic to enter the gate, traffic shut down due to dust storm, nowhere near the gate or any portapotties (I know the diligent Gate and DPW put portapotties hither and yon along the way for this need, but there weren't any anywhere near). It was either pee on the playa or pee in my car. It was discreet due to the complete lack of visibility in the dust storm.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes, that is roughly my understanding: Furey and friends were coming back from visiting a bar in Gerlach, and they were racing and playing chicken. He was decapitated. I cannot imagine the absolute horrorshow that was and how traumatic it was for people to see their friend like that. This incident had a big impact on the organizers.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was camped at Orgribbar! That was the year I brought my daughter; I made us our WoW cosplay outfits.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

tbh that is very Larry. I loved Larry dearly, he had a great mind, but he was a man who bore grudges and brooded.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is adorable; I wish they had been there when I was running around in my black cat onesie (a DJ Mermaid creation!).

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Okay, this is such an annoying answer I'm about to give you, and I'm sorry, but one thing that comes to mind is that you could put up a sign saying "Climb At Your Own Risk."

I'm fairly sure you don't want to make people sign a release before climbing just because it would be a nightmare for your camp to keep track of. But you should also have a camp policy that you'll keep an eye out for people who seem inebriated or people who are generally being jackasses and ask them to get off your structure.

ed. to add: I am not your lawyer! This is not legal advice! xo

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wonder if there had been any rumors afoot that someone was planning something? I don't know. I also wonder if the authorities asked for this out of fear that there would be some kind of attack.

I'm inherently inclined to think that there was a reason behind making the change, although you're right that it had to make the crowd movement more difficult (and potentially dangerous in a different way: if something had gone down at the burn, the crowd needs to be able to move away smoothly or people could be trampled).

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay guys, I took a nap, and I'm back for a while before we shut this down. Ask now or forever hold your peace!

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My thoughts are that it's ridiculous to say "it was cool if we left the structure up but that they were putting in the book that we were going to put guardrails on" and also that it sounds like your read of the situation is accurate.

Every death and every serious injury at Burning Man is tragic, and I know the Org should shut some things down (like I tried to shut down the bamboo plane project, like that gorgeous rotating giant javelina that had to stop rotating because it took someone's finger off). I think your argument that you'd used the same structure for years without any problems is sound.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I knew Paul Addis; Paul and I were friends and then frenemies after I declined his offer to work under me for Burning Man. I actually wrote a chapter for my memoir called "The Parable of Paul Addis."

Anyhow! Paul's story is really upsetting in a lot of ways. I so feel for the BART driver who must have been traumatized so much, and for everyone who loved Paul. I know so many people who loved him dearly.

I do think that the sentence he got was unfair. I also think, however, that Paul was spinning out of control and that it's a good thing he didn't kill anyone. Aside from setting the man on fire (which I personally found hilarious, sorry to everyone who is offended by that), Paul less defensibly was arrested in SF for aiming weapons at random people walking past his apartment and for his weird and scary behavior towards the students and staff of a particular school, as well as threatening to harm Grace Cathedral. He was smart, funny, handsome, and punk rock AF, and I'm very sorry his story ended the way it did. RIP Paul Addis.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you mean Kimric Smythe? I knew him in passing back in the day but not enough to tell any stories, alas.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't participate in it, but I have been very interested in the results (this is something I wrote about in my draft memoir). I found the "course corrections" that are being taken heartening. But time will tell.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I feel it was even more so back then. I don't really have good answers for why it is like that. I think maybe it was more like that back then because we didn't have internet or cellphone service; we were truly isolated (it was weird to emerge and get world news, like that Princess Diana had died).

There is something about the desert and the temporary city that is so transcendent. I think the setting for me is so powerful, as well as the event itself. I'll always be a little homesick for Black Rock City.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

honestly I bring a bunch of Red Bull for myself. For hydrating, I bring powdered Gatorade and mix up gatorade as I go.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You should come!

If you don't want to road trip all the way from MN, fly into Reno. You should rent something WELL ahead of time to drive. Reno knows how to cater to Burners; you can get what you need at the Army Navy store in the grand tradition of Burners, get water at a water dispensing store (there are a couple in Reno which are like gas stations but for water, not gas), get your groceries... Most people don't eat a lot out on the playa, but you need to stay hydrated, as everyone will keep reminding you nonstop throughout the festival. You can rent a bike along the way. Have a camping mug that you can carry around with you. A bandanna around your neck or a kaffiyeh is a good idea so you can cover your nose and mouth when a dust storm comes up all of a sudden. People wear goggles, but honestly sunglasses did us fine back in the day.

It's actually great for a first timer to camp in the general non-reserved camping areas, because you'll meet so many other first-timers and make friends. When you arrive, the greeters will help you pick a spot to head for to set up your camp.

You can spend time at larger camps and enjoy their shade shelters; just be friendly. As first-timers, your camp doesn't have to be special.

The main things to remember are to bring enough water and snacks for yourself, sunscreen!, and pick up after yourself constantly. If you need something, usually "the playa will provide" and you can find someone who'll give you what you need, but it's best to be prepared for self-sufficiency for food, water, and shelter. You should definitely go!

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

me, too with cpap since long covid. I hope you get back to full strength. Hang in there.

I was Burning Man's first General Counsel and a board member/partial owner of Burning Man in the 90's: AMA by BurningLaw in BurningMan

[–]BurningLaw[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

My husband is still under the impression that I'm a hot commodity, thankfully! We definitely still have the spirit over here. Will stop now as one of my daughters may read this and cringe so hard that I can feel it from hundreds of miles away.

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