Philosophical Question

[Harrison Owen]

I tried to join this discussion from a friend's computer - and apparently I
could not get through. But anyhow! 

 

My "translation" of Stuart Kauffman was - "A relatively safe nutrient
environment." I say "translation" because often Kauffman is hard to pin
down. In fact he never actually lists the essential preconditions for
self-organization. You have to wander through the text and pick them out for
yourself. I have done that on multiple occasions and I think I have it
right. My confidence level is increased by the fact that some of his
colleagues who have read my stuff agree. But what can I say? 

 

But in terms of my statement -- ("A relatively safe nutrient environment."),
it is not really about food as such. Maybe "supportive" would have been more
accurate. But my point is that you have to have the necessary stuff
available before anything useful could happen. In the case of an Open Space
you need the requisite number of people who care, and whose "caring" is
informed by some degree of knowledge. In short they have to know more or
less what they are talking about. But the real issue is "relative safety."
Some people have talked about the sort of space created in an Open Space as
"safe space" - a space where ideas, hopes and dreams may be shared even if
they are unpopular, not phrased in the most felicitous fashion, or just
clumsy. But the space can't be "too safe" or there will be no sense of
expectation and urgency. A sense of risk does seem to sharpen the mind and
enhance the quality of conversation. 

 

Harrison

 

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Drive

Potomac, Maryland   20854

Phone 301-365-2093

Skype hhowen

Open Space Training  <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> www.openspaceworld.com


Open Space Institute  <http://www.openspaceworld.org/>
www.openspaceworld.org

Personal website  <http://www.ho-image.com/> www.ho-image.com 

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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Martin
Boroson
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 11:24 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Philosophical Question

 

Dear all:

 

I have a couple of philosophical questions about the concept of a "stable
nutrient environment."  According to Stuart Kauffman, as quoted by Harrison,
this is Condition #1 for self-organization.

 

My questions:

 

a.  What does this mean scientifically?  Presumably Kauffman is talking
primarily about biological systems, as he is a biologist.  Does he mean
sufficient food supply?  That would make sense - you need sufficient food in
order to do anything -- but on the other hand, fundamental environmental
challenges to a system (such as lack of food supply) are surely one of the
perturbations that can induce a re-organization.  

 

b.  I'm also curious to know how each of you would interpret "stable
nutrient environment" in terms of organizational change.  What would be the
"stable nutrient environment" required?   Abundant coffee and cake at your
conference?  Lifetime job security for all the organization's employees?
Or something in between?


;)

 

Namaste 

 

Marty

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