OS for "bad" purposes

[Doersam, Laurel]

Fascinating thought.  And, hey, in the spirit of bringing the whole system
in the room, wouldn't the gang want to include their potential victims in
the event?  Huge potential there for some very real transformation . . . if
OS assists us to see our own and others' human-being-ness, then perhaps we
should be encouraging gangs to hold an event!  From the ridiculous to the
sublime . . .
Laurel.

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Norris [mailto:rnorris at DIGITAL.NET]
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2000 2:05 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: OS for "bad" purposes



What would be the implications of convening an OS for purposes generally
considered to be for the ill of the community?  For example, what if a
street gang convened an OS on doing a better job of taking over a
neighborhood?

Would it still lead to the best of the human spirit emerging, as I always
experience in OS?

****************************************************************

Peg,

What an interesting twist of thought. It is my understanding that OS belongs
to all on the planet and beyond, so the premise is not as far fetched as it
may sound.  In fact with OS's increased exposure to the world it is highly
probable that the scenario presented will be occur sometime in the near
future. It may have happened already.

We use to discuss a similar issue when I was the Senior Facilitator at the
U.S. Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI).  One of our
greatest concerns with facilitating discussions around all discrimination
issues was the perceived risk of "helping in creating an improved and more
skilled bigot".  This thought never left any of us even though it never was
realized as far as we could tell.  In fact in virtually every instance, when
the hard bigots (particularly Skinheads, KKK, Christian Identity members and
hardcore Sexists/Sexual Harassers) were present and their Human Spirit
became visible to themselves they always began a journey of self reflection
and attempted change. OS was not used in DEOMI's facilitation processes.

I suspect if OS truly crystallizes the Human Spirits presence when the Space
is Opened, then those seeing  their own Human Spirit in the reflection of
others will begin to question their own values, morals, ethics and Human
Beingness as it relates to their relationships with others and self.

Final thought....From the perspective of the gang members OS may have a
positive result for their group and it's goals.
OS is being used by organizations to gain "superior advantage" in the market
place thereby subtlety attempting to gain the dominant position....(having a
positive result for their group and it's goals.)

Great question....If OS belongs to the world should its use be restricted?

Rich Norris




What would be the implications of convening an OS for purposes generally
considered to be for the ill of the community?  For example, what if a
street gang convened an OS on on doing a better job of taking over a
neighborhood?

Would it still lead to the best of the human spirit emerging, as I always
experience in OS?

*
*
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