Burning Man’s green focus raises concerns of corporate contracts

Out at the Green Man Pavilion – a 30,000-square-foot tent directly beneath the Man that many longtime attendees had feared would become a marketing expo – attitudes were divided on the controversy over corporate contracts.

The pavilion – which had been closed for three days while workers used the space to reconstruct the Man after an arsonist scorched the structure early Tuesday – had a decidedly unobtrusive science fair feel to it, said Ross Kincaid, a 25-year-old construction worker from Reno.

“If you’re into this kind of thing, then you’ll read all about it and get into it,” said Ross, who was wearing goggles and a fuzzy top hat. “If you’re not, you’re probably just going to skip it and hit the art.”

One project in the pavilion from the Chlorophyll Collective showed how algae can be harvested and turned into power. Another manufacturer advertised “How to Build a Hexayurt,” or a simple shelter for economical living space.

One minor problem, guys: we weren’t selling anything, we were giving away ideas for free.

I think that’s the spirit of Burning Man, right there. Gift economy all the way.