This is the time after Burning Man when you have to get used to the real world, and digest your experiences, which takes a while.
The BM blog had a good article this morning:
Grover Norquist
That article contains a link to Norquist’s story in the Guardian, which I found to be quite interesting. Be sure to read the comments.
There are always VIPs at BM, and some make the mistake in thinking their social status follows them there. It doesn’t, and they end up looking very foolish.
Some people think [some people think a lot of things about BM which simply isn’t true] the event is a lawless free-for-all unrestrained by community authority. Not true. Black Rock City itself has a police force, the Rangers, and sheriffs from the neighboring two counties are in attendance. All Law Enforcement agencies in Nevada contribute manpower, and the BLM takes the lead for the feds. Cops are everywhere.
When I was getting ready to leave I walked over to a Ranger to say “thank you”, and I’m glad I did. She was from Salt Lake City, obviously a full-time LEO (the gear she wore, the way she wore it), and absolutely loved the duty. She also volunteers during “Speed Week” at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Good taste. She sincerely accepted my thanks, and for maybe the thousandth time explained she was here to protect us, and absolutely loved doing it. She didn’t say “We are here” but “I was here to protect you”. I liked that.
In a city of 70,000 there are going to be jerks who might do damage to themselves or others. The cops overlook the strange dress, odd behaviors, confusing language, alcohol, the consensual sex, nudity, happy drugs, and loud noises and focus on what can be truly dangerous. Not necessarily illegal, but dangerous or a threat to the well-being of the citizens. It works extremely well.
Are you still reading this?
Besides the jerks, which are low in number, most of the citizens show respect to each other, including LEOs and VIPs. No matter what your role there, you are expected to show respect to your fellow citizen, and expect that from the others, including LEOs and VIPs. But if you expect respect, you must be responsible for yourself first and foremost. Somehow helpless idiots get through the gates (at $400 a ticket) and take from others and create dangerous situations.
So let’s have fun, and not hurt each other. That would be stupid. That’s Burning Man.