Burning Man 2015 Under Stress from Several Angles | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Burning Man 2015 Under Stress from Several Angles

33
Burning Man 2015 Under Stress from Several Angles

Burning Man, a week-long music and art festival in the middle of the desert, has run into its fair share of obstacles this year, including a bug infestation and restricting regulations that may cause the event to move.

Burning Man is “a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self- expression and self- reliance” held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. The event is held for a week at the end of August, in a self- made community called Black Rock City.

On Aug. 19, reports from Black Rock City stated there are swarms of bugs infesting the area. Organizers of Burning Man said the abnormal wet season in the surrounding grass hills led to the bugs hatching earlier than expected.

There are two types of bugs that have been reported in Black Rock City. The first is the bigger green bug. These are stink bugs that emit a strong odor as a defense. Stink bugs are attracted to light, which is bad news, because Burning Man is known for their light displays.

The second smaller type of bug is known as a seed bug. These bugs use their proboscis, a long hollow tongue, to poke into things in search for water, even our skin. In addition to the poking and prodding, the seed bugs also release an awful odor.

CEO of Burning Man, Marian Goodell, had an interview with "Positive Head Podcast," and explained the difficult regulations the state and federal governments are placing on the festival.

The state of Nevada has recently put an entertainment tax on Burning Man. The State is asking for 9 percent of all revenue collected by the festival. Goodell states that this tax is “crippling revenue flows and long-term sustainability." She does not think Burning Man fits under the entertainment category.

“Burning Man is an experiment in temporary community, and we’re the stewards of that process,” Goodell said.

The Federal Agency Bureau of Land Management has also locked Burning Man into a growth model that limits the population of the festival to 68,000 people.

Goodell said in her interview that they are looking into moving Burning Man to a different state to escape all the legal binds. Although the movement of the event is only speculation, Goodell said she is looking into Utah as a possibility.

Burning Man has not stopped running into road blocks. Amidst the chaos of bugs and strict regulations, a long-term member of Burning Man’s Department of Public Works passed while setting up Black Rock City on Aug. 19.

Although there have been some setbacks, Burning Man is still opening its arms to the 68,000 people attending. The event takes place Aug. 30 through Sept. 7.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

76
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198806
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20031
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461757
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments