Open Space ,Self-Organizing Systems, and The Plexus Institute

[Jack Ricchiuto]

I share this sentiment, having done my part in (in "Accidental
 Conversations" 2002) referencing OST as a prime media for the kind of
accidental conversations that are at the core of self-organization.  Maybe
when the sciences of ecobiology and cultural anthropology converge, the
"science" of self-organization will merge with its art and practitioners
across disciplines will be profoundly inspired.

thanks,  Jack

_______________________________________________
Jack Ricchiuto / 216.288.9431
web: http://www.designinglife.com/ <http://www.designinglife.com/>    blog:
http://www.gassho.blogspot.com/ <http://www.gassho.blogspot.com/>

-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 9:45 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Open Space ,Self-Organizing Systems, and The Plexus Institute

When it come to dealing with the interesting question: Why does Open Space
Work? -- I have found the emerging theory and practice surrounding Self
organization to be very helpful. Not the only help to be sure, but
definitely on the short list. I also confess to a degree of frustration --
that to the moment, few in the larger scientific community have taken any
notice or interest in Open Space. I think this is a lose/lose situation. We
lose because their insights and questions might reveal aspects of Open Space
that we have failed to notice. And I think they lose because, from where I
sit, Open Space is a wonderful natural experiment over time and in the
present. Over time, we have probably some 20,000 iterations of the
"experiment" from which to learn. Since most of us were more interested in
the practical results than "doing science" detailed accounts are hard to
come by. but we do have a network, and it does have a memory. And what we
may have lost as a matter of historical record can be replicated any time
someone chooses to open space.

Anyhow, it may happen that the Plexus Institute  becomes a useful
intermediary. Those of you who were in OZ for OSONOS will remember Henri
Lipmanowicz who is chairman of the Institute and came to OZ to find out
about Open Space. The mission of the Institute is to discover and foster the
application of principles of self-organization to the real world of human
systems, particularly health care systems. Since OZ, Henri and I have had a
number of conversations, and I attended a conference they sponsored in
Austin TX -- which was most interesting and definitely neither Open Space
nor self-organizing. But one thing is sure, Plexus did manage to attract
substantive folks from multiple disciplines and some useful conversations
have started.

My conversations with Henri will continue, and hopefully move from talk to
action. Which brings me to the point (at long last) of this note. What sort
of actions, questions, explorations occur to you which might be pursued with
Plexus. Henri, Curt (The president) and I will be conversing next week, and
I will let you know the outcome -- but if any burning, passionate issues or
opportunities jump to your mind -- let me know.

Harrison


Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854 USA
phone 301-365-2093
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com <http://www.openspaceworld.com/>
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org <http://www.openspaceworld.org/>
Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm

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