A popular r/burningman thread is circulating a screenshot from DOJ file drops that includes the short line: “burning man is great,” dated August 6, 2009. The image prompted a mix of jokes, shrugging takes, and — importantly — a serious discussion about safety and accountability at the event.
Quick background: Burning Man is a weeklong arts-and-community gathering in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert held in late August/early September. It’s famously open — anyone can buy a ticket — which is both the event’s strength and its Achilles’ heel when it comes to keeping spaces safe.
What the thread said
– Some commenters said the screenshot came from public DOJ document releases; others were cautious about reading too much into a single line.
– Several people pointed out the obvious: anyone can buy a ticket. There’s no background screening, so the event will have everyone who exists in society — good and bad.
– The conversation quickly turned from gossip to experience: multiple Redditors shared accounts of harassment and sexual assault at the burn, and called on the community to do better.
Selected takeaways
– “Anyone can buy a Burning Man ticket” — this was a recurring reminder. Tickets aren’t a filter.
– People urged festival-goers to stay alert and look out for one another instead of assuming a festival’s vibe equals safety.
– Survivors spoke up in the thread, sharing painful stories and emphasizing that assault isn’t a joke or an inevitable trade-off for the event’s freedom.
If you’re heading to the playa (or any big festival)
– Travel with trusted friends and pick meeting points.
– Watch each other’s drinks and never leave someone alone if they’re impaired.
– Report suspicious behavior to camp leadership, on-site safety teams, or the event’s official channels.
– Look up the festival’s safety and reporting resources before you arrive so you’re not scrambling in the moment.
Bottom line
A short line in a leaked doc sparked predictable meme energy — but the thread’s most important beat was the community reminding itself that systems of openness still need systems of care. Festivals can be incredible spaces, but they take active community effort to keep people safe. As one commenter put it: we can and need to do better.