- A TikToker attending Burning Man highlighted several concerns to be aware of.
- These concerns include the accumulation of trash and the harsh desert dust.
- Viewers were perplexed as to why anyone would choose to visit given these conditions.
A TikToker planning to visit Burning Man festival this summer shared insights and warnings for both viewers and new attendees.
Burning Man takes place in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert from August 27 to September 4 and is described as “a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance.” The festival is famous for its symbolic burning of an effigy on its penultimate night and has grown in popularity since its inception in 1986, drawing tens of thousands of participants.
In a video posted on August 26, a TikToker known as AceSculptrix, who has attended Burning Man before, revealed “five terrible things” about the event that are often undisclosed. The video garnered over 329,000 views.
In the video, AceSculptrix warned about the presence of fine desert dust, which is actually an ancient alkali salt bed rather than regular sand. They explained that the dust can cause skin issues, cling to belongings, and require special cleaning methods with acidic substances like vinegar or lemon juice to remove.
The Burning Man website emphasizes the importance of wearing socks and shoes to prevent a chemical burn called “Playa Foot” caused by the alkaline dust. They recommend washing feet with a mixture of water and vinegar to alleviate irritation.
The TikToker also criticized the festival’s atmosphere, stating that it has become a playground for wealthy individuals with high-priced ticket options. Despite Burning Man’s “leaving-no-trace” principle, which expects attendees to clean up after themselves, a significant amount of trash is left behind after the event concludes.
In 2022, locals near Truckee, Lake Tahoe reported incidents of illegal dumping by a small number of Burning Man attendees throughout the festival’s history, according to SFGate.
AceSculptrix further cautioned viewers about the surprising amount of crime during the event and mentioned the presence of law enforcement to ensure public safety, as stated on the Burning Man website. According to a report by SFGate, there were 58 arrests and a sexual assault at Burning Man in 2019, compared to 16 arrests at the previous year’s event, including domestic battery and drug possession.
The video received over 700 comments, with many expressing disbelief about attending the festival considering these potential issues. One popular comment received over 1,180 likes, likening Burning Man to a dumpster fire.
In a follow-up video, AceSculptrix responded directly to a comment inquiring about their reasons for attending. They revealed that they are an artist and wanted to experience the artwork and sculptures created by other participants at the event.
Insider has previously reported on the real experience of attending Burning Man, with an attendee describing the atmosphere as welcoming but chaotic. TikTokers often share their negative experiences at festivals that gain significant hype on social media, such as Coachella, which they claim is crowded and lacks necessary facilities.
For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider’s Digital Culture team here.
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