California Drought

[Clayton]

there are people who live in the wilderness/away from society.

But you don't.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

We're 20 miles/35 minutes away from the nearest town with a store when we go out there. It's literally in the desert in the middle of no where, so if you don't bring enough water for your stay, which could be between a day or a week(longer for the construction crew), and no one else has it, then it does not exist.

You're playing make believe with something that people actually have to live through.

It's white privilege passed off as a moral high ground.

 

[Green Ranger]

Forgive me then if I don't believe every media source that says the drought is so serious that California will die if it don't get rain. I think it's serious, but not as serious as some media sources make it out to be.

Missed the point entirely. You can't sit there and go on about how spoiled everyone else is and how good a person you are for saving water when you simultaneously admit a lack of awareness on the issue causing the shortage of water. That's just backtracking to cover your ass.

We're 20 miles/35 minutes away from the nearest town with a store when we go out there. It's literally in the desert in the middle of no where

There's a town only 35 minutes away. With supplies, a store, some form of healthcare etc. =/= middle of nowhere. tl;dr the whole 'I know how to rough it' stuff is, basically, bullshit.

 

[Galavant]

I think a lot of you are either spoiled or were conditioned to shower daily, and you don't know any better or have never tried or wanted to go for a few days without showering. You don't appreciate it.

As I understand it the problem is mainly agricultural usage, which accounts for an overwhelming majority in not just California, but also Arizona, and Nevada. It might be excusable since, y'know food, if it wasn't for the fact that the this is a problem that's been known about for decades, and yet the wrong crops continue to be grown utilizing inefficient practices, in an environmental ill suited for them to begin with. Sure residential usage can, and should, come down, but until the agricultural use is brought in line this problem will not be solved no matter how many showers, green lawns, and outdoor pools are cut from the equation.

 

[Phil]

You're playing make believe with something that people actually have to live through.

It's white privilege passed off as a moral high ground.

There's a town only 35 minutes away. With supplies, a store, some form of healthcare etc. =/= middle of nowhere. tl;dr the whole 'I know how to rough it' stuff is, basically, bullshit.

Firstly, using "white privilege" is a horrible example for Wasteland Weekend when you don't even understand the event.

Now, let's get past all the costumes, weapons props, free beer, shows and awesome vehicles for a moment. Wasteland Weekend is more then just "play" and "make believe" and far more then any con. It's a gathering of people who share one passion, who venture away from the cities and live for a week, sometimes more or less, in the desert away from society. It's where we all pitch in to thrive, have fun, and mingle with each other and show that there are indeed good and outstanding people out there, no matter who we are.

Plus, was it not you two and others who said I should "go outside" more? I'd think spending nearly a week outside, away from computers, televisions and video games and so on would be something nice.

Missed the point entirely. You can't sit there and go on about how spoiled everyone else is and how good a person you are for saving water when you simultaneously admit a lack of awareness on the issue causing the shortage of water. That's just backtracking to cover your ass.

Conceded.

But you don't.

Not that I am pointing any names here, but I don't consider myself a conformist. Just because others do something does not mean I should just because.

 

[Green Ranger]

There's nothing realistic about going out into the desert to pretend you can survive in some post-apocalyptic wasteland scenario when there are emergency services on site and the event is monitored and carefully overseen in case anything goes wrong. It's just a fantasy. Whether or not you choose to accept that is, frankly, irrelevant.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Firstly, using "white privilege" is a horrible example for Wasteland Weekend when you don't even understand the event.

Now, let's get past all the costumes, weapons props, free beer, shows and awesome vehicles for a moment. Wasteland Weekend is more then just "play" and "make believe" and far more then any con. It's a gathering of people who share one passion, who venture away from the cities and live for a week, sometimes more or less, in the desert away from society. It's where we all pitch in to thrive, have fun, and mingle with each other and show that there are indeed good and outstanding people out there, no matter who we are.

Plus, was it not you two and others who said I should "go outside" more? I'd think spending nearly a week outside, away from computers, televisions and video games and so on would be something nice.

I have no issue with you going to Wasteland Weekend. Like, at all. But it is a white privilege to be able to go into the desert and spend a weekend doing all of that in relative comfort in a fantasy setting, then going back to your real comfortable life and then using it to assert some sort of moral high ground over it.

I'm not saying you're doing a bad thing by having a white privilege. We all benefit from it. Myself included. You just have to be aware of it, and not be so oblivious to the things you're saying.

 

[BLADE]

Phil we're not in Mad Max: Radiator Warrior territory yet. And if we were, let's be honest the lycra-clad Castro Cutters of the Gay Outback would already have roasted you and eaten you.

In other words, I dunno why your showering, like every couple of days, aside from being a pungent --I mean poignant-- example of moral posturing is something you do. To each your own I suppose.

*Reaches out to shake Phil's hand... and then decides to use a glove attached to a sixteen-foot pole to do so*

 

[Phil]

There's nothing realistic about going out into the desert to pretend you can survive in some post-apocalyptic wasteland scenario when there are emergency services on site and the event is monitored and carefully overseen in case anything goes wrong. It's just a fantasy. Whether or not you choose to accept that is, frankly, irrelevant.

I forgot to mention, everyone who goes has to sign a death waver, no exceptions. It is possible for someone to die at this event. We are in an area with scorpions, snakes, coyotes, foxes and possibly other critters. Not to mention we've had people injured from fire dancing, dueling and one person drinking more then he should have.

That's not all just for show. People have legitimately been injured in these because of either carelessness or accidents.

You are also both right and wrong. Right in rather I choose to believe the fantasy we make is real or not is irrelevant, because medical assistance has been called in from a few accidents. But you are wrong if you think it is just simply a fantasy. When we go there, that town and store does not exist. We go in with the mind set of "what we have is what we have to work with". You missed the point of it.

I have no issue with you going to Wasteland Weekend. Like, at all. But it is a white privilege to be able to go into the desert and spend a weekend doing all of that in relative comfort in a fantasy setting, then going back to your real comfortable life and then using it to assert some sort of moral high ground over it.

I'm not saying you're doing a bad thing by having a white privilege. We all benefit from it. Myself included. You just have to be aware of it, and not be so oblivious to the things you're saying.

Again with the white privilege. Why do you use that term for the event?

And the event is as comfortable as one can make it for themselves. Some sleep in pup tents, normal tents or even campers.

EDIT: And for the record, it takes me at least a week or so to adjust back to society after I get back from the event.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

Again with the white privilege. Why do you use that term for the event?

And the event is as comfortable as one can make it for themselves. Some sleep in pup tents, normal tents or even campers.

I didn't use it for the event.

Read it again.

 

[BLADE]

EDIT: And for the record, it takes me at least a week or so to adjust back to society after I get back from the event.

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by Code Red Mountain Dew,
starving hysterical naked,
dragging themselves through the neckbeard streets at dawn looking
for an angry fix,

Phil. Have you considered counseling? PTSD (Post Traumatic Sofa Decline) disorder is endemic in your subpopulation. You don't have to be brave, you pimply angel. Not on my watch.

Right in rather I choose to believe the fantasy we make is real or not is irrelevant, because medical assistance has been called in from a few accidents

When will people learn to eat their frito pies at a moderate pace?!

If the cheese sauce is yellow
Be cool, be mellow
Don't choke like a bitch
My fine fellow

 

[Clayton]

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by Code Red Mountain Dew,
starving hysterical naked,
dragging themselves through the neckbeard streets at dawn looking
for an angry fix,

Phil. Have you considered counseling? PTSD (Post Traumatic Sofa Decline) disorder is endemic in your subpopulation. You don't have to be brave, you pimply angel. Not on my watch.

Actual PTSD is no laughing matter. I expected more from you.

 

[BLADE]

Hey man, I've repeatedly contributed to candidates who will take on the couch-dent scourge. Let this be a time of healing. Not of division. A time of throw pillows not throwing accusations.

LET MY PEOPLE GROW.

 

[Green Ranger]

I forgot to mention, everyone who goes has to sign a death waver, no exceptions. It is possible for someone to die at this event. We are in an area with scorpions, snakes, coyotes, foxes and possibly other critters. Not to mention we've had people injured from fire dancing, dueling and one person drinking more then he should have.

That's not all just for show. People have legitimately been injured in these because of either carelessness or accidents.

People get injured doing film stunts. People get injured at renaissance fair jousting. That doesn't make those things real, it's a hazard of participating in those sorts of activities. This is from the Wasteland Weekend 'Survival Manual':

Emergency Services
Once you cross into California City, do not call 911. You will get a faster response by calling the local emergency dispatcher. They know the desert and can get to you more quickly.

California City Police Dispatch: (760) 373-8606KEEP THIS NUMBER ON YOU AT ALL TIMES.

Wasteland Weekend Emergency Services personnel will be on stand-by at the event at all times. Look for the tent with the red cross, or for the people wearing red EMS shirts or red EMS armbands.The closest emergency room is:

Tehachapi Hospital
115 West "E" Street
Tehachapi, California93561
(661)823-3000

SECURITY:Security staff will be wearing green shirts labeled EVENT CONTROL. They are there for your safety and security. They have the right to confiscate any item they deem to be unsafe, or that is being used in an unsafe manner. They have the right to interpret and enforce the rules of the event in order to insure the enjoyment of the attendees. They have the authority to refuse you admission to the event, or to eject you from the event.

Porta-pottiesThere will be porta-potties and hand-wash stations. The porta-potties are designed to receive only human waste and single-ply toilet tissue. Remember: “If it doesn’t come out of your body, it doesn’t belong in the potty!” No feminine sanitary supplies, diapers, trash, or gray water are to be put in the porta-potties. Urination or defecation in the sand is not permitted.

Not all for show, hey?

You are also both right and wrong. Right in rather I choose to believe the fantasy we make is real or not is irrelevant, because medical assistance has been called in from a few accidents. But you are wrong if you think it is just simply a fantasy. When we go there, that town and store does not exist. We go in with the mind set of "what we have is what we have to work with". You missed the point of it.

"I reject your reality and substitute it with my own" isn't a valid rebuttal FYI.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

 

[Phil]

People get injured doing film stunts. People get injured at renaissance fair jousting. That doesn't make those things real, it's a hazard of participating in those sorts of activities. This is from the Wasteland Weekend 'Survival Manual':

Not all for show, hey?

"I reject your reality and substitute it with my own" isn't a valid rebuttal FYI.

While I'm glad you went to site to actually research your argument, doesn't change the fact that death is still a possibility, slim or no slim.

And no, not all of it is for show. No one fights to the death, naturally, but they can still get injured, something that is not common.

Call it what ever you want, I could really care less. But at least I'm actually doing something productive and learning things rather then sitting on my fat ass infront of a tv or computer.

For the record, totally snagged that. Though "The Road Warrior" is better.

 

[Green Ranger]

While I'm glad you went to site to actually research your argument, doesn't change the fact that death is still a possibility, slim or no slim.

And no, not all of it is for show. No one fights to the death, naturally, but they can still get injured, something that is not common.

I could die of a brain aneurysm walking down the street tomorrow. What's your point? Going back to the point you made earlier, how in any way can a staged, planned event pretending to survive etc. etc. where death is a slight, massively minor possibility (but emergency services, security etc are on site and readily available in case of any sort of accident) not be construed as a fantasy?

 

[Phil]

I could die of a brain aneurysm walking down the street tomorrow. What's your point? Going back to the point you made earlier, how in any way can a staged, planned event pretending to survive etc. etc. where death is a slight, massively minor possibility (but emergency services, security etc are on site and readily available in case of any sort of accident) not be construed as a fantasy?

Because we actually learn stuff.

• We learn to appreciate what we have.
• We learn to make fires and cook with said fires.
• We learn to adapt to the freezing cold nights and the sudden, yet strong gusts of wind.
• We learn to conserve what we have and trade with others through barter when one needs something from another.(There may be a store/town within 35 miles, but to is, it does not exist.)
• Sometimes we learn actual archery from someone who is an expert.
• We learn to accept and become friends with strangers, no matter how they look, dress or what they believe in. Discussion of Politics and Religion has no place there and it entirely irrelevant.
• What I have not learned is how I have never passed out from a heat stroke while wearing my full outfit.

If you want to call it a fantasy, be my guest. But to many of my fellow Wastelanders, it's a way of life, a retreat, and for me it was a eye opening experience.

 

[Green Ranger]

Because we actually learn stuff.

• We learn to appreciate what we have.
• We learn to make fires and cook with said fires.
• We learn to adapt to the freezing cold nights and the sudden, yet strong gusts of wind.
• We learn to conserve what we have and trade with others through barter when one needs something from another.(There may be a store/town within 35 miles, but to is, it does not exist.)
• Sometimes we learn actual archery from someone who is an expert.
• We learn to accept and become friends with strangers, no matter how they look, dress or what they believe in. Discussion of Politics and Religion has no place there and it entirely irrelevant.
• What I have not learned is how I have never passed out from a heat stroke while wearing my full outfit.

If you want to call it a fantasy, be my guest. But to many of my fellow Wastelanders, it's a way of life, a retreat, and for me it was a eye opening experience.

Since none of that actually answered my question (we can learn things from fantasies. We do it all the time. There's a whole big genre of literature called fiction, go figure), then concession accepted.

 

[Wit]

Because we actually learn stuff.

• We learn to appreciate what we have.
• We learn to make fires and cook with said fires.
• We learn to adapt to the freezing cold nights and the sudden, yet strong gusts of wind.
• We learn to conserve what we have and trade with others through barter when one needs something from another.(There may be a store/town within 35 miles, but to is, it does not exist.)
• Sometimes we learn actual archery from someone who is an expert.
• We learn to accept and become friends with strangers, no matter how they look, dress or what they believe in. Discussion of Politics and Religion has no place there and it entirely irrelevant.
• What I have not learned is how I have never passed out from a heat stroke while wearing my full outfit.

You just described college.