THE PHILOSOPHICAL CENTER
Exploring the Why in What We Do
There are as many ways to Burn as there are Burners. Some find their place among wood and power tools, while others weld, wrangle community or concoct interactive experiences. Others spend their time spinning stories and pondering what it all means.
The Philosophical Center is a space for dialog; for remembering, recounting, and exploring all the ways the 10 Principles are made manifest in the world.
“Burning Man has always been the complete evolution of a society in front of my eyes.”
~ JUSTIN CREDIBLE, CO-FOUNDER OF THE PEOPLE’S FASHION SHOW, HELD ANNUALLY IN CENTER CAMP (BURNING SINCE 1995)
Burning Man LIVE: Conversations with Cultural Instigators
The intrepid hosts of our in-house podcast chat with guests from across the Burnerverse, covering topics far and wide, including global Burning Man culture, goings on in Northern Nevada, Black Rock City art and artists, the science of generosity, and pro tips for Black Rock City.
Since Burning Man Live launched in 2020, we’ve had more than 125,000 downloads from listeners in over 50 countries!
Read Burning Man’s Official Podcast Answers Questions with More Questions in the Burning Man Journal.
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“Still here, bitches.”
~BETTY WHITE
Sharing Knowledge and Collective Memory
From storytelling to cultural cookbooks, Burners have a rich and varied history of sharing lore and waxing philosophical, whether around burn barrels or with pixels and ink.
“My Burning Man experience taught me how important art, ritual, and beauty are for human society.”
~ P SEGAL, CACOPHONY SOCIETY INSTIGATOR AND FOUNDER OF THE CENTER CAMP CAFE, HELPING ARTIST COMMUNITIES FLOURISH, BURNING MAN JOURNAL (BURNING SINCE 1990)
A PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BURNING MAN CULTURE
In 2022 the Philosophical Center rolled out Burning Man Publishing with a literary celebration at San Francisco’s Kerouac Alley. While many experiences Burners create are ephemeral, our publishing imprint exists to document the knowledge, lore and philosophy that tie it all together.
We’ve released two titles, with others on the way. Turn Your Life Into Art: Lessons in Psychomagic from the San Francisco Underground by Caveat Magister unpacks the craft of orchestrating magical, life-changing experiences. Built to Burn: Tales of the Desert Carnies of Burning Man details Tony ‘Coyote’ Perez’s journey from blues musician to leader of Burning Man’s Department of Public Works.
Just published, our third title, Once Upon a Time in the Dust: Burning Man Around the World by Roxane Jessi shares Roxane’s journey to seven Regional Burning Man Events — all in one year.
