Thoughts on Contraptionists Ideals

    My feelings are that our basic ideals do conflict with themselves

some but with compromise can work.

    What do you see as the Contraptionists Ideals (or Charter) ?

As I see it the Contraptionists ideals are;

   A- Inclusion

I would hate to see people turned away but do see the need to

select guests that have the tendency to Contraptionalize and would

have Contraptions, Art work or abilities to make the camp even better.

Our growth worries me and I understand the desire for limits. I was

sitting with someone in camp this year who was discribing how nice our

camp was and talking about the founders of it to me and had no idea

who I was. So the large growth doesn't promote camp unity or

understanding.

Any newbie in my mind is a guest and is free to just absorb the

spectacle their first year, but they are expected to contribute

somehow the following years, whether by helping with running the camp

attractions or having their own projects.

        Old Contraptionists, As a newbie sponsor who invited that

guest to our camp you should do a number of things:

1)  They should connect their guest to the yahoo group and have them

read any Burningman letters posted on Contraptionists.Com as well as

the info page for that year.

2)  They should make their guest feel at home in camp and help them

feel comfortable in using the common tents and structures.

3)  they should watch over them so they know not to waste water or

dump it in the shower ponds. 

4) they should encourage  them to express themselves in helping with

existing activities and/or their own art or activities by pointing

them toward the proper master of those activities for inclusion in

them or to me or the current camp architect for space for their needs.

( preferably before the event and before submiting our theme camp form

to Burningman org for space needs).

5) they should teach them about MOOP and it's prevention, both solid

and liquid, and the need to help with removal.

6) And whatever I missed to be added when reminded.

    B- Sustainable

I am probably the worst environmentalist, but one of our founders

knows all about it and started us down the Solar path.

My view is that we need more PV power for lights and music and

eventually even the Freezer, though a propane gas powered fridge/

freezer would make much more economical and space/ travel sense. So we

currently have a compromise with the Genny for freezer, smoothies,

mister and star light tower and solar ( with Genny backup ) for

general lighting. 

    But I do have a desire to either eliminate the generators or have

a central one that will override the RV generators so we don't have

them scattered around or on one side of the camp with the noise and

fumes drifting into (my) tent all week.  I find it slightly ironic

that I tried to prevent the propagation of the generators and we had

about 5-6 this time.

What can we do to solve this ? any other ideas ?

    C- Public oriented

I feel we are an asset to Burningman.

I feel we provide t the Burningman public in a number of ways and as a

camp justify our being there with our participation. I would like to

see that grow with more art and Contraptions for the camp, and maybe

on the playa, if a member so chooses.  I would like to see individuals

using their special talents on their own and aiding others in the camp

to make the camp better as a whole.

I had someone ask me what they could do for our camp next year and I

had to tell him I couldn't tell him that and that is something he had

to know from himself. I don't know your special talents and you do.  I

saw an image and had to make the tower this year, I can't tell you

what you see and what you need to bring out from inside yourself.       

    In a way I wish we were all closer to help each other more, but

even from a distance we can work together on our creations and ideas

if we know where to look with a camp asset list.

    D- Contraptionalation

Spell check loved that one!

What is it ?

It means we need more Contraptions

    We need the Peddle powered blenders for the smoothies, the hand

cranked ice shaver , the peddle powered wind dancers, trikes, showers,

movable tents and other creations that make our camp the way it is and

a little different from the others around us.

    We need more Contraptions.

    We need more Contraptors

    We need you to let your talents shine!

  Let Us, your camp mates know how We can help you with that!

    What did I miss?

    Let us Know your thoughts, make a Yahoo posting.