The End of Quiet Time

Chris Corrigan chris at chriscorrigan.com
Tue Mar 7 10:08:09 PST 2006


Harrison:

Even in the vast Open Spaces within which we work, there is really a tiny
closed space upon which we work.  The earth is a closed system, for the most
part, and no amount of useful material or help from outside is forthcoming
to save us from ourselves.

And so, the answers as always, are to open more space within, because unless
we seek some radical transformation in our ways of doing things, scenarios
like this may well come to pass.  And if they do...

Some of us, including some of us here on the list like Ralph Copleman, Peggy
Holman and John Engle, have been talking about seeing Open Space and other
dialogue and deliberation processes as essential tools for dealing with
massive crises brought about by climate change or catastrophes.  I have
personally spoken with David Korten, the author of a several pieces on "The
Perfect Economic Storm <http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=1380>"
(collapse of the US$, climate change and peak oil happening at the same
time) and he's a big supporter of much much deeper engagement of people in
local communities in first preventing these kinds of scenarios, and later
on, dealing with them well.  I've written more about this at my
weblog.<http://chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/2006/01/13/facilitators-community-building-and-the-long-emergency/>

I think, as Katrina and the Asian tsunami has taught us, dealing with large
scale and sudden change demands wise action.  In Sri Lanka, a group called
Sarvodaya <http://www.sarvodaya.org/>, who make community empowerment their
spiritual practice, were first on the ground with support and logistics
after the tsunami because they make a practice of doing this kind of work.
Michael Herman's recent posting on his
weblog<http://www.michaelherman.com/wordpress/archives/2006/03/06/opening-space-after-attacks-in-nepal/>points
to a group of Nepalese leaders who are doing the same in the face of
a civil war.

The world has much need of those who make engagement, collaboration,
empowerment and facilitation a regular practice.  When the skills are really
needed, there will be no time to learn them.

We could certainly raise the alarm, but my inclination is to work in two
areas on activity: try my best NOT to be a part of the problem, and keep
myself prepared for the problems that may find us nonetheless.

Chris

--

CHRIS CORRIGAN
Consultation - Facilitation
Open Space Technology

Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com

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