Fw: The Macro*Memetics Project - and a Question

Tue Aug 14 07:20:42 PDT 2001

I thought this course based on "Spiral Dynamics" might be of interest to some of you on the list.  A similar developmental, integrated model to that used by Ken Wilber, which of course has been inspiration for Harrison in The Power of Spirit.

Here's the question: Has anybody out there taken training in Spiral Dynamics, used it as complement/ in conjunction with Open Space? I'm really intrigued by their concepts, but do wonder if their model on how to implement large scale change is a bit too "controlling".

many thanks

Meg Salter

MegaSpace Consulting
416/486-6660
meg.salter at sympatico.ca
www.megaspaceconsulting.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Petra Pieterse 
To: Recipient list suppressed 
Cc: drbeck at attglobal.net 
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 7:28 PM
Subject: The Macro*Memetics Project

From: Dr. Don Beck
To: The Spiral Dynamics community

I'm pleased to announce the dates for the upcoming Spiral Dynamics/ 
Integral Technology Level II program entitled The Macro*Memetics 
Project: The Design, Leadership, and Transformation of Large Scale, 
Complex Systems and Resolution of Major Conflict situations. 

The first session will be held in Boulder, Colorado, October 28-30, and 
a second  is scheduled for Washington DC on December 14-16. An SD-I 
will precede the SD-II in Boulder (October 26-28). Boulder is fast becoming the 
"epicenter of the global integral movement," and the M*M Project is being 
co-sponsored by Ken Wilber's Integral Institute, John Petersen's Arlington 
Institute, and the Adizes Graduate School. The information below describes 
this new initiative in more detail. 

Rather than being a more traditional "training" program, M*M is a three 
day simulation/scenario that will apply Spiral Dynamics thinking in addressing 
large scale problems, systems, and situations. These may include the 
future of Cuba, the design of integral community-wide initiatives, fresh 
approaches to dealing with sensitive race issues, and "side-views" of such 
historic conflicts as the Middle East, Northern Ireland, and southern 
Africa. Also, we hope to explore new ways to create responses to global 
inequities and the management of large corporate entities.

Each session will be limited to only 32 participants. The cost of the 
five-day package (SD-I and SD-II) will be $1,500.  Individually, the SD-I will 
be $950 and the M*M is priced at $750.

Please let us know if you are interested. The M*M Project will introduce 
a number of new concepts and processes that will push all of our envelops 
in this macro-scale application of Spiral Dynamics and Integral Strategies.

Don

THE MACRO*MEMETICS PROJECT

The Design, Leadership, and Transformation of Large-Scale,
Complex Systems and Resolution of Major Conflict Situations

A number of forces are now converging to put even a greater emphasis on finding new and fresh ways to deal with problems and challenges of a large scale. These "macro" groupings range from whole communities to emerging city-states to  multi-layered cultures to far-reaching corporate entities and, of course, to the global meshwork itself. Attempts to apply micro-scale (personal) and meso-scale (organizational) solutions to these interconnected and dynamic macro-scale environments have been "weighed in the balance and found to be wanting."

This is not to discount the efforts on the part of so many to find "common ground," or negotiate a "consensus," or celebrate "communitarian" impulses, or even work on behalf of peace and progress. The intent of the M*M Project is not to duplicate or compete with these problem resolution processes. Rather, it intends to offer them new and deeper insights, a new set of tools that have been field-tested literally around the world, and a fresh perspective on how to mobilize the necessary resources to create a better world. Further, it will demonstrate how all of the positive initiatives  the foundations, think tanks, institutes, associations, government and private entities, religious and educational groups and others  can be integrated, aligned, and synergized to have maximum impact so more gets done, for more people, using lower costs and fewer resources.

In short, the complexity levels and global demands within our 21st Century problems and conditions of human existence have out-stripped our collective capacities to deal with them.  When this happens to bacteria colonies and virus clusters, they recalibrate their informational and instructional codes to outsmart, outmaneuver, and outperform their external threats. So must we.

Here are some practical examples:

*In spite of so many genuine efforts at closing the developmental gaps between the prosperous and poor on the planet, many think the gulfs are actually getting wider. Rather than get to the core of the problem, the issues are fought out in street battles at meetings of the World Trade Organization, World Bank, and the European Union, and many are fearing serious disruptions in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Utah.
WHY?

*We continue to be plagued by racial and ethnic divides at a time when many think we should have outgrown these artificial and demeaning stereotypes based on skin pigmentation and places of origin. Racial cards continue to exist in political decks and are played for self-serving and divisive reasons.
WHY?

*Historical explosive conflicts in the Middle East, the Balkans, Northern Ireland, much of the African subcontinent, and Indonesia threaten to break out of their narrow confines to engage larger combatants in the destructive
violence. Attempts at long-term peacemaking, while noble and useful, appear to fall short as the "hot spots" flare up with every thrown rock, exploded bomb, act of martyrdom, or "strategic" assassination.
WHY? 
*Our materialistic accomplishments and technological wizardry have had the sweet-sour effect of raising standards of living while endangering our fragile habitats. Our often frantic search for sustainability and balance leads to feelings of dismay and betrayal on the part of many who sense that life itself is under serious threat.
WHY?

* HIV-AIDS, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, is finally recognized as pandemic after many years of warnings about its potential dire consequences. Yet, the global efforts to stem the tide and deal with the symptoms of the disease have been erratic, political, fragmented, selfish and inept. These efforts continue to fail, in spite of the huge expenditure of funds and claims of commitment, because they do not address the primary decision-making systems that drive the plague. Alas, as the virus is now spreading across China and other Asian countries at the same time that individual assertiveness is growing, one can sense a major global disaster just ahead.  The world of microbes might just be smarter than we humans are.
WHY?

No doubt you can add to the litany of issues that confront us daily. Because we have become so interdependent, these issues play through our human institutions at superfast speeds. As long as our efforts are competitive, piecemeal, fragmented, cosmetic, short-term, ad hoc, and superficial, we will remain victim to the repetitive cycles of fear, anger, deprivation, and conflict.

We can do better than this, but how?

Large-scale systems and situations requires large-scale thinking with large- scale systemics, strategics, and tactics. 

The M*M Project is designed to provide a gateway into the emerging and critical large-scale world where complexity, rapid change, sudden wild cards, and quantum leaps are the order of the day.

M*M will be co-sponsored by the Ken Wilber Integral Institute Worldwide, the Arlington Institute (Virginia, USA) and the Adizes Graduate School (Santa Barbara, California) .

The dates for M*M are Sunday, October 28-30, 2001 in Boulder, Colorado and December 14-16, 2002 in Washington, DC. In Boulder, the program starts at 5:00 PM on Sunday and concludes the following Tuesday at 5:00 PM. 

A simulation more than a formal workshop or seminar, the M*M Project includes a new Spiral Dynamics Scenario program, to be designed and implemented by John Petersen of AI. Participants will work through a specific case-study in large-scale systems  whether a community-wide initiative, transformation of a large corporation or school system, major changes in conflicts within a complex culture, or even profound shifts in an entire society. In addition to the simulation/scenario activity, participants will be introduced to such concepts as vMemetic Codes and their emergence; the design of Vital Sign Monitors using GIS technology
to "measure" and "monitor" large-scale systems, as well as a number of conceptual models calibrated to wrap around or overlay onto complex situations.

Alan "Tex" Harris, a thirty-five-year veteran of the US State Department, will be the invited guest at both sessions because of his distinguished record in "second track" diplomacy, major conflict and crisis management, and a wide range of other competencies. The State Department has named an annual award after him: "The Harris Award for Constructive Dissent." During his career, Tex held posts-of-duty literally all over the world, and served two terms as President of the American Foreign Services Association.

Other members of the Integral Institute and senior Spiral Dynamics staff will be involved in the various aspects of the project. The cost will be $750 which will include all materials and  refreshments. The M*M Project event also counts as a Spiral Dynamics/Integral Technologies experience in the certification track.
=======================================================
Contact Information:

Dr. Don Beck, National Values Center/The Spiral Dynamics Group. Box 797, Denton, TX 76202. Tel: 940.383.1209 or 940.300.6363. drbeck at attglobal.net or DEB at spiraldynamics.com.    www.spiraldynamics.net, .com  and www.globalvaluesnetwork.com

Petra Pieterse, The Spiral Dynamics Group, 6211 W. NW. Hwy., Suite G610, Dallas, TX. Tel: 214.365.0390 or 214.395.0340.  petra at spiraldynamics.net. www.spiraldynamics.net, .com and www.globalvaluesnetwork.com
=======================================================

OTHER SPIRAL DYNAMICS TRAINING EVENTS 
AND NOTEWORTHY WORKSHOPS 

September 15- October 7, 2001    SPIRALS OVER OZ AND SINGAPORE 
Spiral Dynamics/Integral Technologies Level One. In conjunction with Spiral Dynamics Asia-Pacific and the Australian Institute of  Management. For details, venues, specific dates and registration,  contact Evan Flower at  eflower at bigpond.net.au

November 19-21       SPIRALS OVER THE NETHERLANDS: 
A three-day event on Societal Innovation, Sustainable Development and Societal Well-Being  A Workshop for National Leadership. Contact Alida de Jong, Zin in Werk, Boxtelseweg 58, PObox 123, 5260 AC Vught  Tel. 073-6588000  a.j.dejong at wxs.nl

November 23-25       SPIRALS OVER THE BAVARIAN ALPS 
Spiral Dynamics/Integral Technologies  Level One. Augsburg, Germany. Contact Leland Johnson at LivingNetz at aol.com

December 14-16        SPIRALS OVER THE POTOMAC 
Spiral Dynamics/Integral Technologies Level Two. Washington, DC. See Macro*Memetics Project above.

January 18-20, 2002           SPIRALS OVER THE GOLDEN GATE
Spiral Dynamics/Integral Technologies Level One. San Francisco, CA 

February 1-8            SPIRALS OVER BRITANNIA
February 1-3:  Spiral Dynamics/Integral Technologies Level One. February 5-6: Two-day  SDi-II and Confab. February 7-8: Integral Education Workshop. For more information and  registration, contact Christopher Cooke at  01924 270786 or  cookie at tusk.demon.co.uk

May 21-26                SPIRALS OVER TEXAS
May 21-23:  Spiral Dynamics/Integral Technologies Level Ones. May 24-26: Two-day  SDi-II and Confab. Dallas, TX.

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