Happy new year!
When these words hit the Internet, there was one minute left in 2011 on the East Coast of the U.S. By now, we’re past that, even if only by seconds. We’re in that new chapter of the future, and people don’t call the years “two thousand” anymore. It’s “twenty” from here on out. Quicker. Fewer characters. Faster downloads.
Yeah, it’s the future, baby.
But I bet I’m not the only Burner who doesn’t feel like I live by the Gregorian calendar anymore. Burning Man has rearranged the year.
Standing aboard the Crystal Ship on Burn Night, we say “Happy new year” to each other. What else can one say while the Man is burning? It’s the zero point. Reset the clock. The Man burns in 365 days. The Burner’s year ends with the summer, when the days are still long. January 1 is like its shadow.
It’s 2012 now. The Man burns in 244 days.
We count down each year to that summer night, but we name our Burns by the default calendar. Burning Man 2012. I’m sure we’ve all been thinking about this one for a while.
Burners are the kind of people who pay attention to Mayan prophecies, even if only to make fun of them. We like to think about time and history. We also build temples to honor the galaxy. And some of us are into aliens and what-have-you. But it’s not just us. This 2012 thing has permeated the culture. There’s no way to avoid it. This year is pivotal, even if only in our minds.
So happy new year, you dusty bunch. New Year’s Eve is the biggest party in the world. Burning Man can’t hold a candle to it. I don’t even think the comparison is a stretch. New Year’s parties, whether it’s the end of summer or the middle of winter, have their reputation for debauchery. But that’s not all there is to the Burn or the Ball Drop. On both nights, there are these moments of reverie, these still moments when we catch ourselves, and we stand by the edge of the racing river of time and fall silent.
The solstice is past. We get a little more light every day from here until summertime. Welcome to Twenty-Twelve, my neighbors. The 27th Year of Burning Man. What do you make of it?
All photos by the incomparable Scott London
Thanks for everything, my neighbors. I love building this city with you. As always, if you like what I jotted down, you can lend me your ear on Twitter @JonMwords, or you can send me a message via jonmitchell.me.
How was your Default New Year’s Eve?
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My default New Year’s Eve was great, Jon! Reflective. Contemplative. Full of sleep. Thanks to Burning Man, I am still feeling freed up and like I’m part of a secret American society whose web holds me and grounds me against the onslaught of hatred, backwardness, and gratuitous cruelty toward their own people in which so many Americans are engaged here in this place where I live in isolation. Have a fantastic new year, Burners everywhere, and thanks for being your awesome selves!
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New Years always falls when the Man falls. December 31st is just another excuse to feel like shit on January 1st…hahahaha. BTW is there gonna be a theme this year or is it up to us to have our own themes in every camp?
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I thought 2012 was the “Theme” is it not?
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hey i too was on the crystal ship indeed the burn has transformed the year with a different view and angle- hope to find and dj for you all again cheers and love in the new year-
matt ralph
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Yeah, what’s the theme Burning Man?
My vote:
Apocalypse 2012: Lifting the Veil
But whatever the theme, can’t wait.
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Thats all fine and dandy, but more importantly, will beats antique be there now that bassnectar has jumped the shark?
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I believe the theme for 2012 is Fertility 2.0
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Not going this year. The Org has made such a mess of this relitivly simple process that I will spend my 2000 bucks else where.
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