Pastor on the Playa

I don't think of myself as a Christian very often. In fact, although I was raised one and I don't believe you ever stop being Christian, I really consider myself an artist, if anything. I do have to say, the guy who wrote the essay at the above link (click on title) is one smart Christian. Not only does he recognize the hypocrisy in his paradigm, he's committed to changing it for the better.

This is why I go to Burning Man, to exchange ideas and encounter truly intelligent people engaged in truly selfless art. Of course, not everyone who participates is intelligent enough to engage fully, but I have to admit that despite all the traumas I've experienced over the years of attending Burning Man, it is the little things people did that stick with me.

I like how the pastor refers to "post-moderns" like you could see them cheering in one section of the bleachers at a ball game. Its true that Burnies (as I like to call people who attend Burning Man) are truly "post-modern" artists, but I doubt you will find anyone taking that moniker on themselves willingly without some self mockery.

For years now I've been trying to identify what post-modernism really is. I mean, you can really trace its roots back to French Philosophy of the late sixties, which makes you realize that its a term that has been around for over thirty years. Not so modern, really. But it is interesting to think that the ideas of making art and appreciating art has evolved into a culture where anyone, no matter who they are or what their knowledge and background is, is empowered to make art just by being. Burning Man is pre-modern, Burning Man is post-modern, Burning Man is now.