OST, OD, etc.

[Harrison Owen]

At 10:36 PM 9/26/2002 -0400, Chris Kloth wrote:
>I have a very different take on the OST/OD thread.  It has to do with a
>larger issue among people as individuals and communities, where community is
>not limited to geography, but does reflect elements of culture.  It has to
>do with the "I" and the "IT" that are essential elements of any strong
>community we CHOOSE to be a part of.

Points well taken and well said, Chris. There are in truth different
strokes for different folks -- and we have to honor them all. That said, I
think we also have an obligation, or at least I personally feel an
obligation, to engage vigorously in the conversation. My comments about the
economics and psychology of the use of Open Space (or more accurately the
non-use) come from a number of years of trying to figure out why, if
something is free, simple, effective, and easy to replicate -- it is not
used to a greater extent. Indeed, a number of folks appear never to have
heard of it. And if they have heard of it, OS is taken to be wild, far out,
radical, and risky. Although the press coverage has diminished of late
(Thank God), there was a time when virtually every major press organ (NYT,
Washington Post, LA Times, Financial Times of London etc, etc, etc.)
carried major feature stories. Additional publicity was not something we
needed. As for "risky," I find it difficult to understand after 17 years of
constant and increasing use all over the world. The Beta Tests are in. Of
course there are risks, but not about the efficacy of the process. So How come?

Truthfully, I really don't know. But my best guess has been that it has
something to do with economics (Hard to send a bill when you don't do
anything), and what seems to me to be an attachment to the complex (and
therefore a need for The Expert). I should judge that the control issue is
also of some significance.

And why should I care? Some folks get the impression that I am trying to
"sell Open Space," or build my personal reputation. Truthfully, I have been
trying to give it away, and get out of the business. Fortunately, there has
been reasonable success with both of these -- and I have had more than a
few thoughts about going fishing.  I have even managed to do a fair amount
of that too. But...

I believe the central gift of Open Space is the realization of Peace. Not
as some abstract, idyllic, some-day-to- be-achieved state, but a present
reality that works right now. Further more, every time space is opened
anywhere in the world (by "doing" an OS or simply by being graciously
spacious in our dealings with fellow critters), I think the cause of Peace
is advanced. If nothing else, those who find themselves in gracious space,
no matter the means, know there are options, choices.This was true with the
50 Palestinians and Israelis gathered in Rome, and it is true wherever
conflict is made creative when folks have enough room to move about. A
little Open Space, as it were. As I read my morning papers, listen to the
news, check in with my colleagues around the world, -- I cannot help but
feel that gracious space is in short supply. If there was nothing to be
done, I surely would go fishing. But that is not the case, and so I find
myself engaged in vigorous conversation.

Harrison


Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854 USA
phone 301-365-2093
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.mindspring.com\~owenhh

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