gridlore | Radical Ritual, my review (Reply)

Radical Ritual: How Burning Man Changed the World by Neil Shister

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was supposed to be the book I took to Burning Man this year, but, well. . .

What we have here is a fascinating account not of how Burning Man started and grew; that's a tale that has been told many times. Instead, it's about how the vision for what Burning Man could be changed from the early days of Baker Beach, the Cacophony Society, and Zone Trip 4 through the disaster of the 1996 Burn to today.

We meet the Funders and the people who came in at different times and see how the event has come to affect art, civic planning, even disaster relief, and renewable energy strategies. It is told in a very personable way by Mr. Shister, who merrily jumps around in space and time to weave the tapestry that is not just what happens in Black Rock City, but what happens at regional events around the world and in meeting rooms and conferences.

The book ends with Larry Harvey's death and his memorial service. While Larry may have started this flaming ball rolling, it has grown to be a force that is changing the world.

Highly recommended for any Burner, plus anyone interested in how social trends are shaped.

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