5 'terrible' things about Burning Man, according to an attendee who said they were about to go for the second time

31.08.2023 - 16:47 / insider.com

A TikToker who said they were making a return visit to Burning Man festival this summer warned viewers and new attendees about the downsides and potential pitfalls to watch out for.

Burning Man takes place in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada between August 27 and September 4 this year. It describes itself as "a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance" and is known for its ceremonial burning of an effigy on its penultimate night. Since its launch in 1986, the festival has become associated with sex, drugs, and over-the-top outfits, attended by tens of thousands of people.

On August 26, a TikToker who goes by AceSculptrix posted a video where they said they were about to attend Burning Man for the second time, and wanted to share "five terrible things" about the event that "nobody tells you."

In the video, which received over 329,000 views, the creator began by saying attendees should be weary of the "fine dust" that swirls in the desert, as it's more of an "ancient alkali salt bed" than a regular sand dune, and can cause cracking and redness of the skin, cling to tents and clothes, and requires a special wash with "some sort of acid like vinegar or lemon juice" to remove it.

Burning Man's website states that not wearing socks and shoes can cause a type of chemical burn known as "Playa Foot," and advises attendees to wash their feet with a mixture of water and vinegar to remove the akali dust that causes irritation.

The TikTok creator went on to criticize the vibe at the festival.

"Burning man has also become a playground for rich assholes," they said in the video, citing the price of the highest-tier tickets known as the FOMO option, the cheapest of which is $1,500.

The TikToker added that, despite Burning Man stating they have a leaving-no-trace principle, where attendees are expected to clean up after themselves, a lot of trash is still left behind when the event is over. 

In 2022, locals from Truckee, Lake Tahoe, a town around 150 miles from Black Rock City, spoke of the illegal dumping of materials in the area by a minority of Burning Man attendees exiting the event throughout its history, SFGate reported. 

AceSculptrix also went on to warn people of the "surprising amount of crime" during the event, and ended the video by saying there were "cops everywhere." Burning Man's website states that law enforcement patrols the festival to "protect public safety."

In 2019 there were 58 arrests and a sexual assault at Burning Man, compared to 16 arrests at last year's event, which included domestic battery and possession of a controlled substance, SFGate reported.

Over 700 people commented on the video, the majority of which appeared to be dumbfounded as to why