Oren Aks, who previously served as the social media designer for the infamous Fyre Festival, shared his insights on the cultural phenomenon surrounding scammers and their grandiose ideas, particularly in light of the recent postponement of Fyre Festival 2.

The original Fyre Festival gained notoriety for its disastrous execution in 2017, where attendees discovered that the promised luxury festival experience in the Bahamas was instead a disorganized campsite offering basic amenities.

Details on the Postponement of Fyre Festival 2

Originally scheduled to take place in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from May 30 to June 2, Fyre Festival 2 has been postponed. Ticketing partner SoldOut.com confirmed this decision, stating that refunds would be issued to ticket holders.

The Cultural Meme of Fyre Festival

Aks emphasized the ongoing fascination with Fyre Festival, describing it as a “big meme” that continues to evolve in pop culture. He noted, “It’s just because it’s a big meme. So, because it is a meme, it keeps memeing, and we’re just reinventing the meme.” Aks suggested that for many, attending a potential second failure of the festival would be akin to joining an inside joke.

Public Perception of Billy McFarland

Despite his criminal past, including a conviction for fraud related to the original festival, some see event organizer Billy McFarland as a visionary deserving of another chance. Aks shared that many view him as “a hardworking entrepreneur” who simply wants to create a fun experience.

“For me, the worldview of this story doesn’t make sense,” Aks stated. “If you are going for having a good laugh, it must be nice that you have money to travel for a good laugh.”

The Disappointment of Fyre Festival 2017

Aks recalled the stark contrast between expectations and reality at the 2017 event, describing how he recognized the impending disaster upon seeing subpar accommodations upon his arrival, including FEMA-style tents.

He remarked, “When we arrived, the moment where it really hit me was actually going over this hill and seeing the tents… In my brain, the logistics didn’t work out.” This moment highlighted the lack of preparation and serious mismanagement that plagued the original Fyre Festival.

Societal Fascination with Scammers

The conversation with Aks extended beyond Fyre Festival, as he pointed to a societal trend of idolizing figures associated with scams, including the likes of Anna Delvey and other criminals. He noted that the public often focuses more on these narratives than on successful business stories.

“We glorify the bad, the scammy, the evil, and we look at those people as heroes,” Aks commented, raising concerns about the impact of this shift on societal values.

The Future of Fyre Festival 2

While organizers claimed they were making strides in the planning of Fyre Festival 2, statements from local authorities doubted their legitimacy, claiming no knowledge of the event. The discussion surrounding the festival continues to raise eyebrows as tickets for the event remain available, priced starting from $1,400 up to over $1 million for premium packages.