Intercultural Communication Term Paper

Hello and welcome to your reading guide to the Burning Man Project (BMP). The fact that you are taking the time to read this informational handbook is an indicator that you are interested in experiencing the wonderful culture of Black Rock City, the one week a year hometown of the BMP.

Before you begin to read this guide I would encourage and ask you to please disregard any preconceived notion of what you may think this event comprises of. You more than likely have been shown an idea or descriptions of what this event is like from news media, television shows, or a general hype that happens when this city is functional. The real descriptions and truth behind this event do not come from these sources. Instead, the most accurate tales and descriptions you can receive come from those who have participated and witnessed the event in person. There is no way to know the whole picture without actually being there.

Being someone who has experienced and participated in the BMP, I feel that I can write to you a general guide to be able to help you with preparing and experiencing the event. Like I said before, you need to see to believe. But before you go, learning and reading about what you will encounter from someone who has been there will greatly help you prepare yourself for the event. In this guide we will go over subjects such as the community and participation, the culture, identity, and how to help make your journey fun for you and everyone around you.

What Is The Burning Man Project?

The BMP is a community that has grown over the years from just a small group of people to upwards of 50,000 people. This massive group gathers in the Black Rock Desert in NW Nevada every year and creates a wonderful community to be celebrated by all for a week. There are no rules on how you should behave, other than the ones that serve to protect the health, safety, and well being of the participants. Hundreds of volunteers come together months before and after to help set up and clean up the event. Art is a big aspect of the event. Many art installations, small to massive, are created and available for all to enjoy. There are also many theme camps that are set up that are part of the interactive core by creating a visual presence and communal space. Everyone participates to have fun, enjoy the company of others, and to experience a completely different life for a week. When it is all said and done, pack out all you brought in, and leave no trace you were ever there.

Community and Participation

Generally when people think about the BMP they think about a whole lot of people getting together in the desert and throwing a big, out of control party. While there are festivities happening during the event, the whole concept of the BMP is created upon the idea of community and community effort. The community is built on recognizing all member's unique abilities, whether they big or small. The idea is that everyone there is combining a collective effort to help the community in as many ways possible. In this community, monetary transactions are frowned upon and not welcome. Participants are there to live with each other and help everyone they can, when they can. If someone in the community is in need of something, they will ask their neighbor or go seek it out from the vast population of the community. Usually these needs are small because everyone in community knows that in this event, everyone must be prepared to be self reliant. You need to bring enough shelter, food, water, and any other living provisions to last yourself a week in the desert. The community members are expected to be totally self reliant.

Participation is a big part of the community also. Whether your participation or contribution to the BMP is big or small, collectively, everyone works together to make the event happen successfully. Many participate by installing art in all forms for the public to enjoy for free. You could also participate by volunteering you time to help with the big art installations, helping set up theme camps, and helping with cleanup efforts after the event is over. Even just by being there you are participating. Cleaning up after yourself and others is a big contribution. The concept of leave no trace is heavily valued and all are expected to bring out everything they brought in. Even picking up after a mess that isn't your mess is a big contribution. Be ready to participate.

Burning Man Culture

As the size of the BMP has increased over the years, a culture has formed around the event. Because it the BMP is so unique, the culture within is very different from standard American culture. The BMP culture values community, sharing, openness, love, acceptance, art, imagination, and celebration of life. The BMP can be considered a low context culture because this is group that only comes together for a short period of time and has only been around for about fifteen years. Communication is very implicit because you are dealing with unfamiliar people in your surroundings. Being open to everyone will help you better experience the culture. Expected behaviors,