What could be left out |

[Malcolm Best]

I am intrigued by the question about what could be left out.

Lately I am coming to believe that our "salvation" and a path to sustainable
living in the world will come from the emergent properties, including
intelligence and collaborative learning, in certain kinds of groups.  My
avid interest is to discover what allows a group, at a particular time and
in a particular context, to self organize and exhibit intelligence much
higher than any member, while other groups turn into dumb mobs.  What are
the key activities and non-activities that I can engage in to facilitate
emergence of a higher order of creativity in a group?

Kevin Kelly ("Out of Control") listed 4 characteristics of what he called
"swarm systems":

The absence of imposed centralized control
The autonomous nature of subunits
The high connectivity between subunits
The webby nonlinear causality of peers influencing peers

This last one relates to 'Whatever happens is the only thing that could." -
permission to influence and be influenced because there's no way of avoiding
that anyway.

Howard Rheingold ("Smart Mobs") quotes Michael Suk-Young Chwe on public
rituals (like an Open Space opening):' "Public rituals are social practices
that generate common knowledge", which enables groups to solve coordination
problems'.

Instinctive (as in "selected for during evolution") drives that hold
individuals back or channel them into irrelevant noise, dumb groups down.
For example when I ask myself "when should I contribute?" (status,
reputation, credibility), "who is free riding?" (it's all a free ride), and
"should that be sanctioned?" (two feet) - these are settled with maximum
trust and minimum friction in the Open Space framework.

Thanks to everyone for marvelous writings in this list.
Malcolm  Best

----- Original Message -----
From: "Automatic digest processor" <LISTSERV at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
To: "Recipients of OSLIST digests" <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 11:00 PM
Subject: OSLIST Digest - 11 Jul 2004 to 12 Jul 2004 (#2004-188)


> There are 3 messages totalling 782 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
>   1. OSLIST Digest - 10 Jul 2004 to 11 Jul 2004 (#2004-187) (2)
>   2. the dark side of circle practices -- and related themes
>
>
>
> Date:    Mon, 12 Jul 2004 15:15:44 +0200
> From:    "Pannwitz, Michael M" <mmpanne at boscop.de>
> Subject: Re: OSLIST Digest - 10 Jul 2004 to 11 Jul 2004 (#2004-187)
>
> Dear Ralph,
> how do you usually explain it?
> (one part in my explanation is to quote a couple of old German
> sayings, one of which translates to: If the dog would not have taken
> a shit he would have caught the rabbit...German: Wenn der Hund nicht
> geschissen hätte, hät er den Has gefangen)
> (The other one goes "Wenn das Wörtchen wenn nicht wär, wär mein Vater
> Millionär" which roughly goes like. If it were not for the word if my
> father would be rich)
>
> You can easily see that I would certainly not leave this one off
> because there is usually a boistrous chuckle...
>
> As far as Harrisson losing his mind is concerned: there is definitely
> space in open space for losing your mind (or other things)...in the
> most recent os I facilitated just a week ago under the heading of
> "Adventure growing old...and that in a foreign homeland" one issue
> was "Be crazy" which definitely drew the largest crowd.
> Greetings from Berlin
> mmp
>
> On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 08:54:54 -0400, Ralph Copleman wrote:
>
> >So, what can we do without?
> >
> >I've been thinking maybe next time I'll leave out ,"Whatever happens is
the
> >only thing that could."
> >
> >Not because it isn't true, but because I have never explained it in a way
I
> >myself clearly understand.  We're talking maybe 200 times here - and I
never
> >seem to nail it.  (On the other hand, nobody ever asks me to explain it
> >further, so maybe I do nail it.)
> >
> >Or maybe I'll post it on the wall with the other three, as I always do,
and
> >then not mention any of them specifically - just say there's a list of
> >guidelines one can use if one wishes.
> >
> >I don't know.  What do you think?
> >
> >And Harrison, yes, you've definitely lost your mind.  But please don't go
> >looking for it.
> >
> >Ralph Copleman
> >
> >*
>
>
>
> Michael M Pannwitz
> boscop
> Draisweg 1
> 12209 Berlin, Germany
> FON +49 - 30-772 8000     FAX +49 - 30-773 92 464
>
> Informationen zu open space und future search:
> www.michaelmpannwitz.de
>
> 123 Berliner open space-Veranstaltungen von 12 BegleiterInnen in 16
verschiedenen Bereichen:
> www.openspace-landschaft.de
>
> An der E-Gruppe "openspacedeutsch" interessiert? Enfach eine mail an mich.
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
>
> Date:    Mon, 12 Jul 2004 18:25:41 -0400
> From:    Zelle Nelson <zelle at knowplacelikehome.com>
> Subject: Re: the dark side of circle practices -- and related themes
>
>
> some thoughts on our role as facilitator...
>
> Harrison Owen wrote:
>
> >...And what about all those other great experiments -- Dialogue,
Appreciative
> >Inquiry, Community Building, and I suppose "Circle practices" (although I
am
> >not quite sure what they are)? Speaking just for my self -- I must say
that
> >each of these have been profound teachers. From the practitioners of
> >Dialogue I have learned what intense and productive communication can be
> >like. From Appreciative Inquiry I have learned the incredible power of a
> >positive, appreciate approach to my fellow human beings. And from Scott
Peck
> >and Co. I have learned much about the nature and function of effective
human
> >community. Each of these has opened my eyes, sharpened my attention, and
> >raised my expectations in terms of what and how we can function at
optimal
> >levels both individually and collectively. But my deepest learning occurs
> >when with open sharpened,  eyes I see exactly the same things happening
in
> >Open Space -- all by themselves, and all without the overt intervention
of
> >some prescribed, facilitated process. I find my emerging conclusion to be
> >basically mind-blowing -- although some may take it to mean that I have
> >blown (lost) my mind. It seems to me that genuine dialogue, deep
> >appreciation of difference, and the manifestation of real community are
all
> >the natural concomitants of any fully functional self-organizing system.
If
> >this is true, the real focus should be on enabling/allowing the
> >self-organizing system (which we all are) to do what it alone can do --
> >rather than trying to "fix" apparent and real problems encountered along
the
> >way with special interventions and added processes, as fascinating as
those
> >processes and interventions might be. As I said, Don't fix it if it ain't
> >broke -- just make sure that "it" (good old self organizing system) has
> >plenty of time and space in which to breath.
> >
> >Harrison
> >
> >
> >
> Zelle writes:
>
> I'm oscillating between two prime pillars: 1) Learning and adopting
> tools (Appreciative Inquiry, Dialog, etc.) to help us interact
> ultimately in a state of grace*** 2) Living, being, experiencing as our
> path to learning and as a way of life.
>
> ***sidebar*** Living in a State of Grace means coming from a place where
> peace is our ultimate goal in any relationship rather than striving to
> keep the status quo of a relationship at any cost. When we hold onto our
> idea of a relationship at any cost we are coming from a place of fear -
> fear of loss, fear of pain - Living in a State of Grace does not mean we
> hold the relationship as a sacred cow, but rather we hold the people
> involved as sacred. I never want to see you walking down the street and
> feel I need to cross over to the other side to avoid talking to you,
> whether we agree on certain issues or not. To learn more about how to
> more fully live in a State of Grace visit www.stateofgracedocument.com***
>
> The way of being I hold is a paradox. In Open Space I can use the tools
> I've learned towards better relationships with others and myself. And I
> can practice being in Open Space, living as the waves and tides of my
> internal and external world compel me to move, act, speak, listen, and
> be. I seek to live by the principles of Open Space, since I see the act
> of formally opening space as an acknowledgment of what is already out
> there to be lived. I need neither skills nor advanced training to take
> responsibility for myself and my passions, yet in my experience, I more
> richly engage in bountiful relationships when I utilize skills and tools
> which I have been taught or have created to facilitate living the
> reality of responsibility and passion.
>
> To address what Harrison wrote:
>
> "It seems to me that genuine dialogue, deep
> appreciation of difference, and the manifestation of real community are
all
> the natural concomitants of any fully functional self-organizing system.
If
> this is true, the real focus should be on enabling/allowing the
> self-organizing system (which we all are) to do what it alone can do --
> rather than trying to "fix" apparent and real problems encountered along
the
> way with special interventions and added processes, as fascinating as
those
> processes and interventions might be."
>
> Having learned many skills and tools which enable me to better know how
> I wish to be in relationship with others has greatly enhanced my ability
> to act and move within a "formally" - being in circle, stating the law
> and principles, creating a marketplace of ideas - opened space. I am
> more "fully functional" within a "self-organizing system" because of the
> tools I have learned. Leaving space open for others to learn techniques
> within the bounds of a "formally" opened space, in my experience, can be
> beneficial. Our challenge as facilitators of Open Space is to know when
> to hold um and know when to fold um - know when to offer aid in
> facilitating dynamically changing relationships and when to simply hold
> space for each individual to find their own way and their own learning.
> As I've seen from posts here and heard from discussions with colleagues
> the ultimate path to knowing when to do what comes full circle back to
> following our passion and our responsibility on an individual basis as
> spirit arises.
>
> When "formally" holding space I like to provide opportunities for topics
> to be posted relevant to facilitating the resolution of the questions
> addressed in the invitation, including opportunities for learning tools
> and processes that foster fruitful relationships. These opportunities
> must, in my opinion be as voluntary as the other topics which arise.
> Often these opportunities are offered outside of the "formally" opened
> space and are not a prerequisite of being involved in an Open Space event.
>
> In my experience once I "formally" open space I rarely do anything but
> hold space and try to bounce back any attempts to bring me in to
> facilitate a discussion, by saying something like, "This part of the
> meeting is yours. You have the ability and the responsibility to follow
> your own two feet and solve problems and challenges on your own."
> Outside of "formally" opened space I tend to still stay out of trying to
> "teach" something that I "know" unless I am invited to do so.
>
> In my experience tools and skills which help us to be more fully present
> in dynamic relationships (Appreciative Inquiry, Dialogue, State of Grace
> Documents, Byron Katie's Loving What Is) focus on
>
> "enabling/allowing the self-organizing system (which we all are) to do
what it alone can do"
>
> Do we need these tools to be and self-organize into active, responsible,
> passionate bodies? - No. Do these tools enable and allow self organizing
> systems to be more fulfilling, fruitful, and rewarding? - In my
> experience, Yes. As long as these tools and skills are not "required" as
> a ticket for admission into a seemingly open space.
>
> With Grace and Love,
>
> Zelle
>
> ************
> Zelle Nelson
> Engaging the Soul at Work/Know Place Like Home/State of Grace Document
>
> www.stateofgracedocument.com
>
> zelle at maureenandzelle.com
> office - 828.693.0802
> mobile - 847.951.7030
>
> Ravenswood - Isle of Skye
> 2021 Greenville Hwy
> Flat Rock, NC 28731
>
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Artur Silva" <arturfsilva at yahoo.com>
> >To: <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
> >Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 1:00 PM
> >Subject: Re: the dark side of circle practices
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >>--- chris macrae <wcbn007 at easynet.co.uk> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>The process starts erring to absolute democracy of
> >>>everyone must have
> >>>equal time contributions to speak at each phase
> >>>
> >>>
> >>(...) In other
> >>
> >>
> >>>word's the circle's communal harmony ... can
> >>>
> >>>
> >>co-create such
> >>
> >>
> >>>deep love of nice
> >>>behaviours to each other that it misses the biggest
> >>>spiral out above our
> >>>communal thinking's common denominator
> >>>
> >>>
> >>That's interesting, Chris.
> >>
> >>I have been, at times, in situations like that one -
> >>circles (or squares) where everyone must "be in
> >>place", must "speak in his turn" and must have a "nice
> >>behavior".
> >>
> >>They call this democratic, but in fact it is a
> >>dictatorship. In a democracy I can stay silent if I
> >>want. When everyone is obliged to speak that is not
> >>democratic. This can be a "rules' dictatorship"
> >>(created by the rules previously defined,) a "leader's
> >>dictatorship" (the leader(s) imposes that everyone
> >>must speak), or even a more interesting type - a
> >>"majority's dictatorship" (where the rule is created
> >>at the moment by the majority).
> >>
> >>Apart from claiming to be democratic, this type of
> >>groups/sessions also claim that they are following
> >>"good principles". The two I have heard more often are
> >>"appreciation" (like in "appreciative inquiry") and
> >>"dialog".
> >>
> >>Democracy (and Open Space) are made of dialogs AND of
> >>discussions. If one suppresses discussion and impose
> >>dialog (as in "everyone must be nice to each other and
> >>hear the other with appreciation") then there is no
> >>democracy and no open space, I think.
> >>
> >>Apart from the fact that there are some people that I
> >>don't want to hear with appreciation (say, Bush, to
> >>give only one example) the point is even more strange.
> >>"Playing the appreciative game" (an expression I have
> >>created just know) is only one form of "playing games"
> >>- and that is the essence of Argyris and Schon's Model
> >>1.
> >>
> >>If, in a meeting or organization, one imposes dialog
> >>and appreciation, then a close session or organization
> >>will come to place.
> >>
> >>Artur
> >>
> >>PS: I never heard to call this "circle" and even less
> >>Open Space. But I would not be too surprised if some
> >>would call that. I have already referred to a
> >>respectable group of practitioners of "Communities of
> >>Practice", USA based, that not long ago claimed that
> >>they had used "Open Space" (OST) in a meeting because:
> >>
> >>- they assembled in a circle
> >>- they gave participants the opportunity to ADD issues
> >>to a large group of issues pre-prepared by the
> >>organizers
> >>- they divided the large group in small groups to
> >>discuss those issues (by choice of the organizers, if
> >>I recall well - but I recall well that there was no
> >>reference to "the law" - people were not expected to
> >>leave their group! That would not be considered
> >>"appreciative" to the other group members, I
> >>suspect...)
> >>
> >>But don't worry about what some people do "in your
> >>name", Harrison. You can always remember what some
> >>have done (and are doing) in His name. And at least
> >>about you I know that you exists - something I am not
> >>prepared to say about the Other...
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>__________________________________
> >>Do you Yahoo!?
> >>New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages!
> >>http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
> >>
> >>*
> >>*
> >>==========================================================
> >>OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> >>------------------------------
> >>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> >>view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
> >>http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
> >>
>
>
> *
>                  some thoughts on our role as facilitator...<br>
>   <br>
>   Harrison Owen wrote:<br>
>
> <blockquote type="cite"
>  cite="mid001401c4667b$af6f3d10$dc7dfea9 at holaptop">
>   <pre wrap="">...And what about all those other great experiments --
Dialogue, Appreciative
> Inquiry, Community Building, and I suppose "Circle practices" (although I
am
> not quite sure what they are)? Speaking just for my self -- I must say
that
> each of these have been profound teachers. From the practitioners of
> Dialogue I have learned what intense and productive communication can be
> like. From Appreciative Inquiry I have learned the incredible power of a
> positive, appreciate approach to my fellow human beings. And from Scott
Peck
> and Co. I have learned much about the nature and function of effective
human
> community. Each of these has opened my eyes, sharpened my attention, and
> raised my expectations in terms of what and how we can function at optimal
> levels both individually and collectively. But my deepest learning occurs
> when with open sharpened,  eyes I see exactly the same things happening in
> Open Space -- all by themselves, and all without the overt intervention of
> some prescribed, facilitated process. I find my emerging conclusion to be
> basically mind-blowing -- although some may take it to mean that I have
> blown (lost) my mind. It seems to me that genuine dialogue, deep
> appreciation of difference, and the manifestation of real community are
all
> the natural concomitants of any fully functional self-organizing system.
If
> this is true, the real focus should be on enabling/allowing the
> self-organizing system (which we all are) to do what it alone can do --
> rather than trying to "fix" apparent and real problems encountered along
the
> way with special interventions and added processes, as fascinating as
those
> processes and interventions might be. As I said, Don't fix it if it ain't
> broke -- just make sure that "it" (good old self organizing system) has
> plenty of time and space in which to breath.
>
> Harrison
>
>

*
*
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