"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."โ from the 10 Principles of Burning Man, written by Larry Harvey (2004)
What it means
You decide what you express and how. Art, costume, music, silence, stillness โ all valid.
Nobody gets to tell you your expression is 'wrong' โ and you don't get to tell them theirs is.
It's offered as a gift to others โ expression, not imposition. Consent matters.
๐ข How the Turtles live it
The Open Source Orchestra is self-expression with no permission needed: pick up an instrument, join the jam, no auditions. The AI Oracle tent is code as canvas. And some turtles express by quietly perfecting a pot of coffee at dawn โ that counts too.
First-burn tips
You don't have to perform. Being an appreciative audience is participation too.
Try one thing you'd never do in the default world. That's what the dust is for.
Express, don't impose: your 4am drum solo meets someone else's sleep. Find the right venue.