5 Things Cities Can Learn from Burning Man

While volunteering at Media Mecca, I met fellow New Yorker Craig Duff, who is the Director of Multimedia for Time. He produced this thoughtful clip, “5 Things Cities Can Learn from Burning Man.”

One additional unmentioned lesson from Burning Man is the capacity for individuals to forge new connections or sustain old connections, whether it’s through attending an art performance, a celebratory bonfire, volunteering, or casual conversation. I find this a striking contrast with conventional cities, where most exchanges are funneled through monetary exchanges. I’m not saying that monetary exchanges are bad, but these provide limited opportunities for individuals to interact. The chance to sit down and have an extended, enjoyable conversation with someone is priceless.