Will Chase: How Burning Man Keeps the Magic
Life is a Festival #174
How does Burning Man stay relevant for a new generation and beyond the Black Rock Desert?
The dust has settled from Burning Man, and the photo dumps have all been dumped but today we're diving into a deeper conversation about the relevance of the event itself. My guest, Will Chase was Burning Man’s Minister of Propaganda until 2016. He’s done more than most to bring the open-hearted play of Burning Man to the default world (ie make life like a festival).
In our conversation, we explore Burning Man as a pilgrimage, the magic of serendipity, and the lasting influence of Larry Harvey. Will shares personal stories and thoughtful insights as we explore the magic of Burning Man and what this community should focus on now.
Will Chase was a key figure in Burning Man from 2003 to 2016. He co-founded Fireside Storytelling in San Francisco and is the president of We Are From Dust, which places interactive art globally. He also hosts "Pants Optional" on Shady Pines Radio and co-founded Peak, an immersive experience design company.
Timestamps
(11:30) Will Chase doesn’t like making things about himself
(15:45) Larry Harvey had the right ego to crawl with worms
(19:30) Getting to Burning Man is itself a rite of passage
(26:30) In Search of Serendipity
(30:30) No the magic hasn’t changed…
(39:45) … but we are at a cultural inflection point
(47:45) The Minister of Propaganda’s medicine is storytelling
(52:30) Bringing Burning Man to the Grand Playa
Links:
Graphics Designed by Gehno Sanchez Aviance
Audio Engineering by Trevor Coulter
Theme song ““Peculiar Colors” [Manjumasi]“ by dj atish