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

[GraceAnn]

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Engle" <john at theexperiment.info>
To: "GraceAnn" <graceann at worldnet.att.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: Open Space ,Self-Organizing Systems, and The Plexus Institute


> thank you for your post, graceann. i have just noticed
> that it came to me but that it did not go to the
> entire list. might you wish to resend and assure that
> it goes to the entire list?
>
> then, i want to share some reflections regarding it.
>
> thank you,
>
> john
>
>
> --- GraceAnn <graceann at worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> > It's true...... we so often think we can be
> > instruments of empowerment, and
> > yet we slide toward a "power over" role so often.
> > Either we take over, or we
> > insist on someone else taking over. Paulo Freire had
> > the right idea, but
> > it's so difficult to put his theory into practice. I
> > look forward to this
> > dialogue.
> > Grace Troisi
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "John Engle" <john at theexperiment.info>
> > To: <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
> > Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 12:47 PM
> > Subject: Re: Open Space ,Self-Organizing Systems,
> > and The Plexus Institute
> >
> >
> > > harrison,
> > >
> > > thank you for the invitation to share our
> > questions.
> > > the ongoing question for me is this:
> > >
> > > why is it that in quite a few cultures, at least
> > those
> > > that i am familiar with, human beings are "wired"
> > or
> > > "programmed" in a way which leads us to gravitate
> > > toward centralizing power in organizations, and
> > for
> > > trying to take responsibility for things totally
> > > divorced from our own behavior?
> > >
> > > perhaps i am overlooking the many examples where
> > these
> > > tendencies don't occur. just seems that so often
> > that
> > > this is the case. for example, i could be working
> > with
> > > groups of street boys and older boys insisting
> > that
> > > younger ones work with me while they themselves
> > don't,
> > > or literacy teachers who will invest a full day
> > > discussing what the government should do about
> > > literacy, when there is no evidence to suggest
> > that
> > > their suggestions will even be considered...or, a
> > > group of leaders in an NGO (nongovernmental
> > > organization) who are trying to dictate the
> > services
> > > that unpaid volunteers give to the
> > organization...the
> > > list could go on and on.
> > >
> > > my question is, where does this come from and why
> > is
> > > it so difficult for us to see the folly in it?
> > ...at
> > > least folly for the well intentioned people. its
> > > totally understandable that people who want to
> > > dominate and exploit would behave in this manner.
> > but
> > > we all watch, wonderful people with good
> > intentions
> > > (including ourselves) frequently gravitate toward
> > > centralizing power in organizations and trying to
> > take
> > > responsibility for things divorced from our own
> > > behavior. seems that these things clog up a fluid
> > and
> > > life-giving self-organizing process.
> > >
> > > john
> > >
> > >
> > > =====
> > > Website: http://theexperiment.info
> > > Sitentenet : http://eksperyansla.info
> > > Site : http://Lexperience.info
> > >
> > > Patisipe nan konvèsasyon sou entènet la sou Espas
> > Ouvri ak Wonn
> > > Refleksyon - voye yon mesaj a :
> > > reseauforumouvert-subscribe at yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > > *
> > > *
> > >
> >
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>
>
> =====
> Website: http://theexperiment.info
> Sitentenet : http://eksperyansla.info
> Site : http://Lexperience.info
>
> Patisipe nan konvèsasyon sou entènet la sou Espas Ouvri ak Wonn
> Refleksyon - voye yon mesaj a :
> reseauforumouvert-subscribe at yahoogroups.com

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