When is OS not OS?

Success success at onthenet.com.au
Mon May 15 15:25:39 PDT 2000


G'day Harrison,

You level on non-attachment is always an inspiration. On the other hand it's
always struck me that you waste very little energy on anything that doesn't
add value.

Thanks for the ongoing inspiration.

Rod
  -----Original Message-----
  From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
  Sent: Friday, 12 May 2000 9:27
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
  Subject: Re: When is OS not OS?


  At 03:20 AM 5/12/00 -0700, you wrote:


  >Reading your story reminded me of an upcoming event that I am aware
  >of.  I was sent information about it second hand by someone who knows
  >that I am interested in open space.  I do not have direct contact with
  >the people running the event.  The event invitation states that the
  >event will be run "in open space" and goes on to quote the law and the
  >principles but.... it then describes the concurrent sessions that will
  >be run and the people who are running them.  There is no market place,
  >there is no opening or closing circle.   As far as I can tell the only
  >part of "OS" that exists in this session is the law of two feet.
  >
  >This is my puzzle - what do I do about this?
  ****************************************
  That indeed is a puzzle. Historically, it seems that people are brighter
than we sometimes give them credit for. They figure out that what they have
been sold, and what they take home are two different things. The possible
results are three. The participants disregard the planners' scheme, and in
spite of best efforts to control, the folks open the space. Second possible
result is that they don't and therefore feel frustrated and angry -- which
does not bode well for a successful conference. Thirdly, they can blame the
whole thing on Open Space instead of recognizing the true identity of their
discomfort. The control needs of the organizers.


  It would be nice if we could "fix" things so that Open Space is
appreciated for what it truly is. And some times such a fix is possible,
particularly if we have direct involvement. But that does not seem to be the
case in this situation. So what to do?


  As painful as it maybe -- the answer is often "Nothing." People just have
to make their choices and live with the consequences. Perhaps it is just
rationalization, but  I believe that Open Space (not Open Space Technology)
is the birthright of every person on the planet. It is a gift they (we) have
already received. But to be useful, that gift must be accepted. And that is
the choice, one way or another. Doors can be opened for us, but walking
through is something that each of us must do for our selves.


  So Sharon, maybe there is nothing to do in this situation. But there is an
opportunity to learn, and thereby better our own practice. Personally, when
I am invited to work with a group of people, I do my best to insure that the
space is open, but when it starts to shut down, I simply pack my bags and
move on. I get real suspicious when I hear people talking about a "little
bit of Open Space" or "modified Open Space." I recognize that there are
differences of opinion here, and different levels of tolerance for
restriction. But a little bit of Open Space always sounds to me like being a
little bit pregnant. And modified Open Space is about as useful as modified
oxygen -- it might look great in a scientific paper, but not conducive to
respiration.


  Fortunately all of us are different. And what seems very restrictive to me
may seem as open as all outdoors to somebody else. But I can only be true to
myself. Doing anything else makes me very miserable and cantankerous -- and
not useful for much.


  Harrison



  Harrison Owen
  7808 River Falls Drive
  Potomac, MD 20854
  USA
  phone 301-469-9269
  fax 301-983-9314
  website
  www.mindspring.com/~owenhh
  Open Space Institute websites
  www.openspaceworld.org

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