Because BURN2 is a mirror of a Real Life event, we voluntarily accept many of the same restrictions that nature imposes on the real thing, to see how creative we can be in a similar situation. We use the same blank landscape.

We pretend that we must bring everything we need in our car or in a truck. We don't build houses to live in, we build tents. If we don't drink enough water, we will die! Going to Burning Man takes great preparation. The Black Rock Desert is 40 square miles of dry, flat mud pancake ringed by distant mountains. There is nothing there. Not a bug, a blade of grass, a rock or a drop of water. Practicing "radical self reliance", 50,000 people each bring everything they need to survive for a week. Water, shade, storm shelter, food, clothing for hot days and cold nights.

Plus, if you can squeeze it in your car, you'd better bring your sequined cocktail dress, your propane canon, your generator, your couch, your latest sculpture, your two-storey nightclub shaped like a duck, your Santa Claus outfit, your... well, everything you need to entertain yourself and your neighbors for a week. At Burning Man, no entertainment is provided.

Nothing is for sale. You may not advertise business of any kind. You must clean up after yourself. The dust storms are terrifying. The altitude is high. The sun is relentless. The night can be freezing cold. If it rains, you will be stuck in the mud for days. At Burning Man, you will be overwhelmed by the scope of what you see.

You will confront your inner self. You will rely on strangers and become friends. You will be accepted at face value no matter who you claim to be. You will be engaged by community. You will interact with art that can kill you.

After more than 20 years, Burning Man has developed many traditions that we carry on at BURN2. The Greeters will orient you at the edge of the city. The residential flights of fancy known as Theme Camps welcome anyone who walks by to participate in an activity organized around a theme. Art Cars and Mutant Vehicles are rolling extravaganzas of creativity and transportation. Costume is outrageous. Nudity is accepted. Fire and explosions are common.

Art is interactive and built by large groups of volunteers. At at the end of the week, the Man is burned amidst a huge party. The last night, the Temple is burned with solemn reverence. Then everyone cleans up and goes back to their Default World, Leaving No Trace on the desert, of the city that was just there.

So, pretend that your car or truck is in the driveway waiting to be packed. You are going to BURN2. What will you bring? How will you build? Who will you be?

Welcome to the other side....