A heated thread on r/burningman (u/b4ckl4nds) is accusing the Burning Man board and leadership of being “complicit” in handling serious community concerns — and demanding transparency, accountability, and a change in leadership.
What kicked it off
The original poster argues that the board is allowing “a mealy-mouthed, corporate PR speaking moron (Marian)” to damage Burning Man’s ethos and reputation, and calls for the board to be removed. The post raises broad accusations about failures of leadership and about alleged abuse by individuals the community should have held accountable. (Note: these are community accusations shared in the Reddit thread, not verified facts.)
Money, nonprofit status, and why some Redditors are mad
Several top comments dig into the organization’s structure and money flows. One detailed reply claims that when Burning Man converted to a nonprofit, it unlocked tax-free donation revenue (citing a jump from roughly $1M in 2016 to $20M in 2024) that, in the commenter’s view, enabled higher executive pay, expanded year-round staff, and closer relationships with wealthy donors. That same commenter suggests the org’s growth created incentives that shifted priorities away from the community-centered ethos many longtime burners expect.
How the community reacted
– Calls for leadership change and public accountability were common — some users wrote “purge them all.”
– Others said the movement and the event will survive: some campers and bartenders in the thread said they’re excited to go no matter the headlines. One comment pointed out that Reddit is not the same as the broader burner community and reminded readers of the 2021 attendance dip that still produced memorable Burns.
– Some users expressed deeper concern about the culture and direction of the event, calling it “no longer counterculture.”
Takeaway
The thread shows a divided community — furious and demanding transparency on one side, and others who see the event surviving through individual participation on the other. Topline asks from Reddit: more transparency from the board, a clear vetting and ethics process, and accountability when serious accusations emerge.
Source: r/burningman (u/b4ckl4nds), Feb 11, 2026 — 166 upvotes, 94 comments. This post summarizes the public discussion and is not an investigation into the claims raised.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/BurningMan/comments/1r222qo/the_rest_of_the_board_is_complicit/