Burning Life 2008 ???
The festival is now finally behind us, but there are some things I'd still like to tackle before shutting down commentary on this years event.
After the problems that have arisen this time around, it's doubtful that Linden Labs will approach next year's BL the same way. I personally think that 2008 will be Linden organized, and probably not be spearheaded by any one person. I truly hope that a committee will meet regarding the festival at least three months before it begins, and that they hash out the details properly.
There is an outside chance that Vicero will get his Burninglife.org group together and produce a separately run festival, this would take the pressure off Linden Labs completely by putting the whole deal into private hands. I am not sure a private group would deserve free sim space, so I don't know how that would work unless a land sponsor was found. Personally I am against this idea, but then it's true that I am biased against Vicero after his actions this year.
So as things stand right now a huge question mark looms over the event.
Here's what I think should happen next year... from my distinctly subjective point of view.
The festival dates should be set up to end at the same time as Burning Man. The Burn of the Man and Temple should match the days of the RL festival.
The length of the festival should be two weeks, with two weeks build and set up time prior to that. This would allow more events to take place, over a more relaxed time table. Any land without a substantial build at the end of week one of the build phase gets to be reallocated. Any land not used by the time the festival starts should be turned into open build space.
The festival should be based on 16 sims. It's obvious there were plenty of unused plots of land this year. Even if there are more people online next year the festival should not be forced to grow to become any more unwieldy.
The musical events should take place at different locations on the playa, with independent streams available to each location. Musical events are good at pulling a crowd to one place, but the festival is about the different camps and builds. I think a lot of people were drawn to the center camp this year and never went out to explore the actual outlying builds.
Large theme camps should either be cut completely or changed totally. Potentially these camps could become the specific venues next year. In this way groups would be putting forward ideas for the best "venue" camp. Some of this years Large camps had venues, but others didn't. Perhaps 4 main venue camps over the 16 sims would work.
The open playa should be cut in size. The 6 sims based around the Man and temple took up a lot of potential building space. I know there needs to be a buffer around these icons, however there could have been a few extra small camps lining the ouside of these sims.
Roads and the general size of camps this year seemed perfect. I know some people moaned about prim limits, but I think that forced peole to work harder to tighten their building. The 2000 sq meters I was allocated was ideal.
I would remove the radio stream from the roadways. Personally I didn't like having that forced upon me as I moved across the sims, and I think it detracted from the soundscape of the separate builds. Several people told me they would turn off my steaming music when on the roads, and then not think to turn it back on once inside a camp. The main playa, Man and Temple areas could still have a live music stream although I don't think it's actually necessary.
There should be no requirement to fit to the Burning Man Theme. Although I think the theme is important, and it actually affects my opinon of the builds, it can't be mandatory. My desire to have more themed builds this year was probably over ambitious, and in the end people either did or didn't do it. So really... lets not kid ourselves on this and make sure people know it's completely optional.
Land allocation should probably be decided by a lottery system. This is the fairest way to deal with it. The only way to solve land issues is to allow a few days to join the lottery and then pull out names. I am even willing to consider letting people pay for a lottery ticket. Burning Man charges $250 a ticket to enter the playa, so having a $250L charge for a lottery ticket isn't unrealistic. This money could then be donated to offset carbon emissions created throughout the festival, in a minor attempt to reduce the global impact. It also encourages people who are dedicated SL Burners to participate. You would be surprised how a small fee like that might change someone's attitude towards their land.
The Ranger group, with whom I had reservations, actually turned out to be a dedicated bunch of people. A few times I saw them walking around cleaning up the place. They also responded to issues and allowed people to vent their frustrations. I think those involved with this group (as far as I am aware) did a marvelous job. They should definitely be reinstated next year.
The main events of the "Burning of the Man", and the "Temple Burn" needs to be built on the best servers that Linden Labs can provide. This year we had nearly 400 people trying to attend the events, and there is no surprise there were issues. Next year I would love to see large numbers and no sim crashes. A tall order I imagine.
I'd like to see a mature person lead the festival. I feel that an older person would have reacted differently to the situations that arose this year. I can't say how many disgruntled people I spoke to about this issue. Of course it isn't all one sided, I am aware of that too. However, when someone decides two days before the festival begins to pull up ALL of their builds, landscaping and scripting on which the community relied, then takes down the "official" website... well then that is just downright shitty.
Yes Vicero Lambert threw the community spirit out the windows, because it wasn't his personal vision any more. And then, to top it all, he is allowed to put his builds onto the large theme camp (he gave to himself) and then stage a burn of the "original" man. This pretty much spits in the faces of the others. I hope the Lindens put in place someone with the balls enough to deal with this situation properly.
For all the hard work people have put into working within the committees, there will never be enough thanks dished out. I know there was personal conflict, but after all the meetings the festival finally worked out really well.
The important thing about Burning Life is the community spirit it embraces. Next year, through thoughtful consideration, LL can make this festival more successful than ever. And I think this event deserves to be momentous.
So with the BS pushed to the side I'd like to thank those dedicated individuals, be it Lamp Lighter, DPW, Event Organizer, Team Lead or Ranger for your outstanding input this year. I look forward to seeing what you can do in 2008.
I couldn't agree more with your attitude regarding Vicero. While I applaud the work he did setting up the roads, parcels, and the parcel reservation system, I think that when he was faced with a decision that could be made in the interests of the community or in his own, he chose his own every time. The "taking my ball and going home" reaction was completely unprofessional and disrespectful.
With luck, the implementation of Havok 4 will make the sims much more stable next year, and allow for high avatar counts without crashes - this is the first measurably positive move in that direction since I joined SL, just under one year ago.
My biggest complaint with the festival was the preponderance of single-prim "art" - twisted tori with animated textures may be neat-looking, but not for long. I would like to see the Playa better organized as far as the open art areas go - not specifically segmented, but perhaps better enforcement of the spacing "requirements" - and while I know I invite derision for this comment, I think some oversight of what is placed on the open-art parcels is required. As I said, one twisted tori does not "art" make.
All in all, I was really impressed by the quality of the builds, and most of the art on display. Some amazing primwork, and builds that I will never forget. I can't compliment the lamplighters enough - the burning ceremonies were incredible. I very much look forward to next year.
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Personally I still hate seeing prefab houses and models of Star Wars robots. There were both on the playa this year... oh and then someone put a huge model kitchen on display too. I don't think it was a question of adding any surreal elements to the playa, it was more about using the land as a sandbox.
I agree about spinning single prim "thingies"... they are everywhere in SL and don't need to be at the festival, but I prefer them to those damned prefabs.
And yes there were issues about the spacing of the builds on the open playa.
Under these circumstances you need dedicated land managers who have the rights to move objects around or return junk prims.
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I too am rather confused about the event. The way that things were handled in lieu of Vicero's actions left a bad taste in my muzzle. Despite that the events guide was a nice addition this year, I would not be heartbroken if I did not have a chance (especially if BL is booked before or during the real life Burning Man event in 2008) to do it again. There are so many questions that I have as well and no chance of getting an answer about it from the Lindens.
Vicero is already gearing up for next year, but I simply cant imagine supporting his endeavor. Sure people change in a year's time and all can be forgiven in my book. Still, can I trust him to not continue to be a catalyst for drama next year? I doubt it.
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"Land allocation should probably be decided by a lottery system."
I completely support this. However, I would favor applying the 250L charge to the "purchase" of playa land instead of to the lottery ticket. Only charge those who actually get land.
"There should be no requirement to fit to the Burning Man Theme."
Again I would agree. I know you weren't entirely happy last year with off-theme builds, and this year wasn't any more on-theme. But this year's constant wagging fingers to "stay on theme" felt far more stifling and does not even reflect Burning Man's own approach. They welcome all art to the playa, and I fear many talented people were alienated this year and chose to stay away from the earlier militant attitude towards theme.
The theme can be a good place to get started on a wonderful Burning Life project, but I'd hate to miss the other great stuff that would otherwise be considered off-theme.
"I'd like to see a mature person lead the festival."
If Vicero succeeds in wooing land and official sanction from LL, I will not even contemplate participating. He displayed no understanding or sympathy with differing opinions, no remorse for his own heavy-handedness, and absolutely zero maturity or sense of community with his "original burning man" camp. "LOL-dances" seemed to be his answer to conflict.
While people can change in a year's time, once somebody has crapped in the nest to the extent this person has, I don't forgive until I've seen some indication of intent to change. By immediately barging ahead with BL08 and his vision of moveable art festivals as if he owned the trademark, he shows us nothing at all has changed.
Despite my own very personal dissatisfaction, I'm actually quite happy that so many others were able to pull together and carry on with a Burning Life festival that brought a lot of joy to so many. I'd also like to extend my thanks to all those who put in so much effort, in spite of the difficult circumstances.
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It appears to me that some people think Vicero "is" Burning Life 2008. These people need to be made aware that just by saying you are something, doesn't mean it's true.
I'd would have been happy to see him in a technical position next year (as I feel his work is good) but there are issues. He obviously cannot be trusted to not abuse a position of responsibility, and so it will need a more dedicated team to run the whole show.
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"There is an outside chance that Vicero will get his Burninglife.org group together and produce a separately run festival" - I'm confused? Who are the .org people?
"The festival dates should be set up to end at the same time as Burning Man. The Burn of the Man and Temple should match the days of the RL festival." - This is exactly what Vicero wanted to do. The community pressured him to extend so others could go to both the RL event and the Digital representation. Which is a decision I agreed with.
"The festival should be based on 16 sims." - I'm sorry Gavin, I can't agree on this point. The main concern at start of event is everyone got a chance to build. Last year had a little over 1mil of people, this year over 9mil, next year I predict well over 32mil. 16 sims could not accommodate.
"I would remove the radio stream from the roadways" Totally agree, or possibly a very low volume tribal eclectic mix. "Playa Musak" hehe.
"There should be no requirement to fit to the Burning Man Theme" - I agree as I did this year. Not sure who was wagging the finger?
"lottery system" - utilizing both methods by necessity, I believe, actually turned out a great framework for years to come.
a) Rangers - Yes! did a great job, hope to see them next year.
b) As Buck mentioned the engine will allow for better numbers next year at both BM and the Temple.
c) I agree, a mature person would be best next year. But I also believe the smear campaign was just as immature as Vicero screwing over the community.
Regards,
Corvaire Wind
PS. Lime still has "No Build" enabled?
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Okay now I am confused. I see that when I type in www.burninglife.org... it redirects to this blog... hhhhmmm. Obviously there are things afoot I am not aware of.
Stranger and stranger !!!
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Just to let all ya know Iridium Linden is no longer a linden in Linden Lab.
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Yeah, well I worry that she drew the short straw Vic and had to deal with you.I wish her the best and personally, I think she could do a lot better. TY Iridium for being so professional and restoring the peace when that was at all possible.
As far as you Vic, what's your point?
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