princples

Burning Man co-founder Larry Harvey wrote the 10 Principles of Burning Man in 2004 as guidelines for the newly-formed Regional Network of global events. They were crafted not as a dictate of how people should be and act, but as a reflection of the community’s ethos and culture as it had organically developed since the event’s inception. Agave Lounge was formed in 2022, and we have added a couple more to Larry's list.

1. Leaving No Trace. We must protect and restore the planet Earth, and to help remind us of our commitment, our geodesic dome is covered in a map of the world. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities. We walk shoulder to shoulder and rake the dust looking for even the smallest pieces of matter out of place (MOOP). 

2. The Giving Spirit -  We find pride in giving. Last year we gifted over 30,000 drinks to the citizens of the playa. We welcome everyone in our lounge, and we serve ice cold craft cocktails with Mezcal and Tequila - as well as other refreshing drinks. 

3. Diversity & Inclusion
   Anyone may be a part of Agave Lounge. We welcome people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, orientations, and countries. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community, other than participation itself. 

4. De-commodification
   We do not promote any alcohol brands, only the agave plant. We have Mezcal tastings, but we cover the labels on every bottle with the Agave Lounge sticker. 

5. Self-reliance
   We do not sell "amenities" to our campers such as water, shift-pods, bikes, or fancy dinners. Our members are all self-reliant and only receive basic resources like power, shower, shade, tools and safety gear.

6. Self-expression
   Radical self-expression arises from the unique gifts of the individual. No one other than the individual or a collaborating group can determine its content. It is offered as a gift to others. In this spirit, the giver should respect the rights and liberties of the recipient.

7. Communal Effort
   Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.

8. Civic Responsibility
   We value civil society. Community members who organize events should assume responsibility for public welfare and endeavor to communicate civic responsibilities to participants. They must also assume responsibility for conducting events in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

9. Participation
   Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through actions that open the heart.

10. Immediacy
    We like to put our phones away or leave them behind as much as possible - especially in our home, the dome. Being present and in the moment is important - in order to actually experience the moment. The specific instant of time that the Impressionists bound up in their canvases, the depiction of the moment, became an index of the painter's presence within that moment. The Surrealist movement created fantasy worlds of immediacy, in which paintings were made of dreams and the conscious world was bypassed. We create our own own fantastic world sharing moments of art in time.

11. Radical Consent  
    Taking photos is only allowed with consent of the people with their faces or bodies in the photo. When you take a photo without consent, it often makes people uncomfortable. Just as you should never assume it's okay to a photo of someone, you should never assume it's okay to touch someone without asking. Consent must be freely given, retractable, immediate, enthusiastic, and specific, (F.R.I.E.S.)

12. Leaving No Lace Tied.  
    Please leave your shoes at the door! The dome is our home. Just as Leaving No Trace is an important part of our culture, leaving no lace tied is a reminder to keep our camp tidy and clean up after ourselves and our guests. We have found that when people take of their rubber shoes, they are grounded and connected to the earth - and the people around them. This makes for a safer, happier experience, and a much cleaner, joyful, more beautiful environment.