I think the Burning Man culture in California must be much different than here in Arizona. I have known burners for about three years and have only been to two Regional events. And I honestly have very little want to go to the Big Burn for exactly the reasons you give regarding it’s lack of true depth due to its sheer size. But all of the burners that I have met in Tucson Arizona and just about all of the burners that I met at Saguaro man both this year and last year, have ended up being a lot of the most influential people in my life. I didn’t know I was artistic until I decided I wanted to make a playground piece to share at this year’s Saguaro man. It was amazing to have so much support in the burner community to actually get to fabricate and install something that people can enjoy at the regional event. A majority of that time I really enjoy getting to know a lot of people. Yes I did have drugs in my system here and there , and yes it did seem to enhance the already good time I was having. But it was never a focal point. Because of the Burning Man community that I have embraced , I feel much more confident in living in the default world because I do have a yearly event to look forward to to unwind and enjoy being around a group of respectful and open-minded adults that I can truly call my peers. This year we had 800 people at the regional Saguaro man. And for a lot of us it felt like it’s at the largest it can be without being commercialized into what burning man has become. Thank you for listening I really enjoyed your article. And I hope at some point you find yourself at a smaller Regional event that could possibly change your mind. Good Vibes and good Times