Philosophical Center | Burning Man Journal

What Is “Burning Man Education” and Why? A Manifesto

November 21, 2019 By Caveat Magister

When Burning Man started offering “educational programming” or “educational content” depends on what you think that is. The first survival guide was launched in 2001, while the first Regional Network ...Read More

The Ten Principles

Decommodification Reminder

August 9, 2018 By John "Halcyon" Styn

I've seen some online conversations dismissing the importance of the Decommodification Principle. “Who cares if people do photo shoots of ...Read More

The Theme

I, Robot — We, God

August 7, 2018 By Misa Rygrova

“People create Gods when they wonder why things happen. Do you know why things happen? Because Gods make them happen. ...Read More

The Theme

Is Burning Man an Open-Source Cloud Based Culture?

August 1, 2018 By Caveat Magister

It's often said that Burning Man and the internet grew up together: both started emerging at around the same time ...Read More

The Theme

Can Humans Think Like Humans? (Radical Self-Reliance in the age of AI)

July 24, 2018 By Caveat Magister

In principle, the debate we’re having is how to make Artificial Intelligence more human, more ethical, and how to treat ...Read More

Shenanigans, The Theme

Plot to Exterminate Humanity Foiled When Newly Sentient AIs Can’t Sync Their Calendars

July 11, 2018 By Caveat Magister

(WASHINGTON DC) (JULY 11) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Military authorities revealed today that the AI systems which connect armed forces, ...Read More

The Ten Principles

Immediacy, Smart Phones, and the Death of Magic

June 27, 2018 By John "Halcyon" Styn

There is a company that is now renting an internet hub device to ensure that you have broadband cell and ...Read More

Shenanigans, The Theme

New Study Shows Siri Now More Likable than 61% of Human Population

June 25, 2018 By Caveat Magister

PALO ALTO, CA, JUNE 25 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE A nationwide study out of the Stanford Monetizable Innovation Lab shows ...Read More

The Theme

How Harmless Little Lies About Consciousness Add Up to Big, Scary, Dystopias About Advertising

June 19, 2018 By Caveat Magister

Technology changes fast, so let’s take a moment to stop and review. Better Off a Bot Shortly before ...Read More

Spirituality

At Home in Larry’s World: An Evolving Eulogy

June 18, 2018 By Ian Rowen

“… from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” — ...Read More