-I'm pretty sure the gasoline used to transport Burners to Black Rock City (not to mention power the generators for a week) is a much larger footprint than the wood used on the man. Is that a waste of resources, too?

Sure it is, a true burner would bike there from Portland and chain themselves to the man in protest.

Now what steps can we take to stop people from driving there?

Really the companies behind selling all this gas and wood stand to make a lot of money.

Are we saying we support these corporations?

If we are so enlightened I think we should all consider biking there from LA and stopping them from burning the man so we can take it back with us.

From the moment you get out to BRC you are completely overwhelmed by all the excess of the entire event. The amount of gasoline used for people to drive there, power generators for a week, power art cars and then drive back home is so wasteful. I also find it extremely hypocritical that BM preaches things like "leave no trace" yet the vehicles parked on the playa leaking any number of fluids as well as the air pollution from cars and everything that's burned, light pollution and noise pollution from the nonstop rave atmosphere, and the countless number of people that probably choose to "relieve" themselves on the playa must undoubtedly be making a negative impact on that fragile environment. On top of that I think it's ridiculous to promote BM as a gifting society and basically anti-consumerism when so much money is spent on costumes, camping equipment, theme camps, art installations, art cars, etc. So what if people aren't spending money when they get there - all you have to do is take a look around to get an idea of just how much of a consumer society it really is.

I think I would rather just be camping out in the woods or doing something where I could enjoy the natural beauty of the world around me rather than feeling lost in a sea of blinky lights, rave music and so many people. I certainly don't claim to be the poster child for living a life free of consumerism or without leaving a carbon footprint, but I am trying to do better on both of those fronts and just can't participate in something so wasteful with a clear conscience because I know it has to be making a negative impact. Another concerning fact is this kind of blatant I don't care attitude and the fuck you vibe that seems to be growing amongst the goers. Telling me to stay home and plant tree's and unwelcoming a new idea, correcting my spelling. Maybe just maybe you should all check yourself. Take a look in the mirror before you say something. Do these comments impress your friends? is this what you really want people to see you for? Kind of gives me the impression your a little rude and egotistical. I am not telling anyone what to do, what gives anybody the right to tell me what I should do? It's a symbiotic relationship. Telling me what to do with my ideas is the same thing you should be telling yourself, in effect there is no difference.

it always seemed to me

that a big part of the
rationale behind the burn
was it's symbolic/mystical precursors...

as in:
the focused attention
of so many participants in a
ritual-esque state at once
could have a metaphysical impact *larger*
than the actions on the mere physical plane.

(though, it would be nice
if the wood to make it
was 100% salvage --
but that's just frosting
and a a pretty tall order....)

how do I protest all the douche that's been wasted in this thread?

The excitement, joy and passion that are invoked during the burning, far outweigh the perceived negative effects to the environment.....
My .o2 ? require all art cars to be bio diesel, solar or human powered ~ which would : A - lower the amount of art cars, B - up the anty as far as environmental creativity, and C - create less pollution...

The burning I don't mind, it's the itching that drives me crazy.

Personally, I like the idea of re-creating the movie version of The Wicker Man. Then you can stuff the original poster into the effigy and lite it.