Properties of circles

[chris weaver]

Therese,

Re:  OS Organization and Ellipses:  I am most intrigued, and I love
Alexander's super ellipse link.  Please keep sharing your insights as they
unfold.

Chris

> From: Therese Fitzpatrick <theresefitz at hotmail.com>
> Reply-To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 22:06:52 -0800
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Re: [OSLIST] Properties of circles
>
> A big, big thank you Alexander for the ellipse.  I was thinking 'what about
> an ellipse?", my favorite form but didn't want to sound uninformed (code for
> stupid!).
>
> I'm not a mathemetician but I am interested in seeing shapes that mirror
> shapes we see in nature.  We do see circles and squares in a few natural
> forms, we do see a few 'straight' lines but in nature the 'organic' shape is
> more elliptical.  I'm trying to envision what kind of structure would hold
> an organization that operates AS an open space organization.  I apologize if
> I am inviting a discussion that long time members of this list have already
> had. . . BUT I'd like to hear folks play with the idea of shape as a model
> for an open space organization.  My instinct has been telling me it is an
> ellipse and I haven't voiced this thought with the group I am working with
> to define what kind of vessel would hold an open space organization but I
> keep whispering ellipse to myself.
>
> If anyone is going to be generous and share their thinking about shape of os
> org, I invite you to also think about what a decision making/communication
> structure would look like that aspires to be open space.  It is pretty easy
> for me to see a five person os organization, I can still see ten person,
> twenty.  But thinking abundantly let's imagine this new venture is very
> successful and has 100 members with five income-producing projects and 100+
> different levels of ownership interest (some investors do not actively work
> in my imaginary organization so processes, I think, need to be clear for
> accountability) .  And, if you are still thinking about my invitation,
> remember that it is open space 365 days a year and livelihoods are at stake
> and what would an os that lasted five years look like.
>
> Just having fun thinking and welcome any thoughts.
>
> Thanks for the ellipse.
>
>
>> From: Alexander Kjerulf <alexander at KJERULF.COM>
>> Reply-To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
>> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>> Subject: Re: Properties of circles
>> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 09:50:50 +0100
>>
>> Thanks Joelle for the image of table-deprived engineers trying to cover
>> their balls. This one goes in my story-chest.
>>
>> Thinking back on the many OS meetings I've been a part of, it is
>> actually rarely that we've been sitting in a circle. At OSonOS in
>> Denmark we had this huge barn to meet in, so there we sat in a perfect
>> (and huge) circle, but for instance at the Practice of Peace in Seattle,
>> the shape we sat in was more of a square with rounded edges.
>>
>> And this reminds me of another very pleasing shape, namely the super
>> ellipse which is a cross between an ellipse and a square. It was
>> invented by a french mathematician and popularized by Piet Hein, who
>> used in designing tables, stadiums, roundabouts, buildings and much
>> else. You can find the mathematical definition here:
>> http://www.2dcurves.com/power/powerse.html
>>
>> Here's what Piet Hein himself had to say about that shape:
>> /Man is the animal that draws lines which he himself then stumbles over.
>> In the whole pattern of civilization there have been two tendencies, one
>> toward straight lines and rectangular patterns and one toward circular
>> lines. There are reasons, mechanical and psychological, for both
>> tendencies. Things made with straight lines fit well together and save
>> space. And we can move easily -- physically or mentally -- around things
>> made with round lines. But we are in a straitjacket, having to accept
>> one or the other, when often some intermediate form would be better. To
>> draw something freehand -- such as the patchwork traffic circle they
>> tried in Stockholm -- will not do. It isn't fixed, isn't definite like a
>> circle or square. You don't know what it is. It isn't esthetically
>> satisfying. The super-ellipse solved the problem. It is neither round
>> nor rectangular, but in between. Yet it is fixed, it is definite -- it
>> has a unity./ -- Piet Hein
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Alex
>>
>> Alexander Kjerulf
>> alexander at kjerulf.com
>> www.kjerulf.com
>> +45 2688 2373
>>
>> Adress:
>> Tagensvej 126, lejl. 613
>> 2200, Copenhagen N
>> Denmark
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Joelle Lyons Everett wrote:
>>
>>> The circle brings many benefits--not the least is that it is a very
>>> ancient
>>> way for people to gather, and so brings energy gathered through the aeons.
>>>
>>> I think creating a circle bounds the gathering, helps to focus on the
>>> theme,
>>> creates a container that give participants a sense both of safety and of
>>> awe.
>>> I remember reading in the newspaper a few years back about a planned
>>> gathering in Seattle--I think a demonstration or protest of some sort.
>>> The article
>>> named a tribal elder and shaman who had come to the site every day for a
>>> week
>>> before, and walked prayerfully around the entire geographical space
>>> included in
>>> the proposed march.  I often remember this story when I am preparing to
>>> facilitate Open Space.
>>>
>>> The circle truly does put people in a position of equality, and
>>> participants
>>> sense this right away, with or without mention.  I usually invite the
>>> sponsor
>>> to open the space from the center of the circle, if he or she is willing.
>>> They feel a bit awkward or vulnerable, and this feels just right.
>>>
>>> As for getting rid of tables, I still chuckle over the report of a friend,
>>> who years ago was beginning to have engineering problem-solving groups
>>> meet in a
>>> circle, without a table.  I asked him how that was going.  "It's really
>>> funny," he replied, to stand in the center and watch all these guys trying
>>> to cover
>>> their balls."
>>>
>>> My 2 cents' worth--
>>>
>>> Joelle
>>>
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