FW: Magic in the Middle
Harrison Owen
hhowen at verizon.net
Sat Jun 14 14:48:14 PDT 2008
My favorite part of "in the middle" is that incredible moment of
transformation from a state of nothingness, and usually anxiety, to
something approaching connectedness, maybe even intimacy.
When the people have first found their seats. there is really nothing there,
and for most people that is an awesome/fearful experience. Confronting
"nothing" that is. But by the time that I have walked around the whole
circle, the change in atmosphere is remarkable. Nothing has really changed
except that I have invited each person to notice all the others -- friends,
acquaintances, strangers. No words have been spoken (by those sitting in the
circle), no issues have been announced. Seemingly, nothing has happened. But
it really is a very different world. What amazes me is just how quickly that
happens -- which is also a problem, I guess. Something serious has happened,
and people miss it. But I don't. It is just wonderful -- or did you say
magic?
Harrison
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of douglas
germann
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 4:08 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Magic in the Middle
Hi friends--
I believe our friend Finn Voldtofte first coined the phrase "The magic
in the middle," to talk about what happens in circles.
What is the magic in the middle? I invite you to a virtual session on
this topic, here, now, on the oslist. Help us all puzzle this out.
Is it one thing, or is it a cluster (or several clusters) of things?
I am not so much after words to describe this magic (those are welcome
too) as the concepts of what is actually going on.
For instance, these are some of the things I have noticed about it. What
have you noticed?
Being heard. Conversations that matter. Action. Knowing glance.
Emergence. Aliveness. Coming together. Whoosh. Creativity. Banter.
Differences unite. Collective intelligence. More. Field. Awareness of a
whole. A way of functioning. Intention. Widening view. Becoming a unity.
Hearing others speak your thoughts. Light out of the muddle. Effortless.
Flow. A life of its own. Enthusiasm. Getting work done. Moving people.
Taking charge. Peer to peer. The between. Third person appears. WEave-
old threads, new fabric, more.
The space is open. Come and play....
:- Doug.
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>From Mon Jun 16 06:38:31 2008
Message-Id: <MON.16.JUN.2008.063831.0700.>
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:38:31 -0700
Reply-To: arturfsilva at yahoo.com
To: OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
From: Artur Silva <arturfsilva at yahoo.com>
Subject: OST becoming mainstream (was: Opening Space at Microsoft PDC)
X-cc: Jack Martin Leith <jack at jackmartinleith.com>
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Jack, Harrison and all:=20
There is strong evidence that OST is becoming mainstream. I am not speaking=
only based on the Microsoft event but on some other international con=
ferences that announced that they are going to use OST.=20
But this is also a problem. In some cases, the expression Open Sp=
ace (or even Open Space Technology) is used, but there are variants in=
its application that may subvert its flavour or event its essence.=20
I am not speaking of heterodoxy - that always implies that the heterodox kn=
ows what the orthodoxy is - but about using the label with complete ig=
norance of the OST User's Guide.
Some 3 or 4 years ago a CPSquare event was announced as "OS" but the topics=
for break out sessions were selected in advance by the organizers.
In the Microsoft event, it happens that the person that apparently is openi=
ng the space for that "OST" is concerned about the fact that (fortunately) =
he will not be able to apply what he thinks are two rules of OST - but=
they are not.=20
In a different event, where a fried of mine will have to assure the logisti=
cs part, a lot of strange material has been asked by the facilitator f=
or the break out spaces of an "OST event".
I know that a non proprietary methodology has no way to enforce its princip=
les. But there are some corrections that can be done easily.
As you all know, more and more the Wikipedia is the standard for defin=
itions and first information about almost everything. And if one googles "O=
pen Space Technology" the first entry refers to the Wikipedia http://en.wik=
ipedia.org/wiki/Open_Space_Technology.
But if one reads the content there are a lot of wrong or misleading informa=
tion in it. This goes from small imperfections, like the wording of pr=
inciples, to the fact that the Law is completely forgotten.=20
The same is true in other languages. If I google "Metodologia de Espa=E7o A=
berto" the first enter refers to the Wikipedia in Portuguese http://pt.wiki=
pedia.org/wiki/Espa%C3%A7o_aberto. Again the definition is very superficial=
.
But anyone can correct the wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedi=
a:Contributing_to_Wikipedia)
So, here go my suggestions:
1) Harrison and a small group of friends could correct the English entry of=
the Wikipedia.
2) Afterwards all of us could use that version as a guide and translate it =
in all of our different languages to include in the Wikipedia ver=
sion in each language.
3) Anyhow the Wikipedia has a link to the OST site (http://www.op=
enspaceworld.org/) but this was initially thought, I think, as a=
resource for practitioners. Now it is used also by non OST practitioners, =
that can't find easily (in the main page of each language) a short, ag=
reed upon, clarification of the principles and fundamentals of OST. This co=
uld complement the Wikipedia entries - or even simply repeat them.=20
What do you think about my suggestions?
Regards
Artur
--- On Fri, 6/13/08, Jack Martin Leith <jack at jackmartinleith.com> wro=
te:
From: Jack Martin Leith <jack at jackmartinleith.com>
Subject: Re: [OSLIST] Opening Space at Microsoft PDC
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Date: Friday, June 13, 2008, 11:24 AM
Hiya Jason.
Delighted to get your email and to see both blog comments.
Please have another look at www.jackmartinleith.com/?p=3D232 where you=
'll see my response to the two numbered points in our second comment (also =
pasted below for the benefit of OSListers).
And please accept my apologies for getting hold of the wrong end of the sti=
ck!
Warmest,
Jack
Jack Martin Leith
Creating the new. Enriching the world
Bristol, United Kingdom
Mobile: 07831 840541 (+44 7831 840541)
Skype: jackmartinleith
email: jack at jackmartinleith.com
www.jackmartinleith.com=20
-------------------------
>From www.jackmartinleith.com/?p=3D232:
Jason Olson writes further:
Also, as I mentioned in an email to you, there are two areas that concern m=
e regarding Open Space as it currently exists for PDC:
1) Due to the size of the conference (and the fact that Open Space is just =
an un-conference within the larger conference), there isn't a current plan =
to have attendees vote and prioritize the sessions they want to see talked =
about (which, unfortunately, removes some of the agile nature of Open Space=
).
2) No current support for an attendees submitting a topic he's interested i=
n but doesn't want to speak about or moderate himself.
As you can imagine, this has me concerned as both of them are departures fr=
om the Open Space model. I would love to have a chat here with you and your=
readers on ways that we can avoid this (or if we should even be worrying a=
bout it). The biggest key is that I don't want to take a great model like O=
pen Space and butcher it because we didn't actually "grok" the true purpose=
s behind Open Space.
My response to Jason's two posts:
Jason, thanks very much for clearing up my misunderstanding.
With regard to your two concerns, neither of the practices you describe for=
ms part of the vanilla Open Space model as described by Harrison Owen in hi=
s book, Open Space Technology: A User's Guide.
In fact most Open Space facilitators don't even suggest that very similar s=
essions are merged =96 this is left to the session leaders (convenors, host=
s, whatever you like to call them) to manage themselves.
Regarding your second point, Open Space is very much about people taking re=
sponsibility for hosting a session. Otherwise Open Space is little more tha=
n a brainstorming meeting: "I think this is an interesting idea, but I don'=
t care enough to do something about it."
I'm sure other Open Space practitioners will have more to say about both of=
these points!
Jack
-------------------------
2008/6/13 Jason Olson (DPE) <Jason.Olson at microsoft.com>:
Thanks for the email Jack! I commented on your blog post directly to make t=
he conversation more public. My wording may have been a bit unclear. There =
is no creating of the agenda ahead of the conference. This is something tha=
t is created onsite, at the conference, by the attendees and for the attend=
ees. This also enables me to avoid having us (Microsoft) try to "dictate" w=
hat can or can't be discussed. This should be an agile process.=20
The part that concerns me right now (and where we currently deviate from a =
typical Open Space), is that there is no "attendees vote for the sessions t=
hey would like to see and we use that to determine what is presented." Beca=
use of the potential number of people involved, combined with the fact that=
this is merely a smaller unconference within a larger conference, I'm not =
convinced that it would work. So, currently, it's largely "first come, firs=
t serve" when people sign up for an Open Space session. Also, there's reall=
y not a supported model for submitting a session you want to hear about, bu=
t have no clue who can moderate/or discuss the session in general.
As you can imagine, these two changes make me a bit uneasy considering the =
departure from what makes Open Space great.=20
Of course, I would love to hear feedback from you and others if this is a b=
ig deal (and if we should even worry about it), or if we should avoid this =
and find a different way for the prioritization and participation to occur.=
=20
Jason Olson
Technical Evangelist | Visual Studio & .NET Framework Evangelism |=
=20
http://www.managed-world.com/
From: jackmartinleith at gmail.com [mailto:jackmartinleith at gmail.com] On Behal=
f Of Jack Martin Leith
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 9:11 AM
To: OSLIST
Cc: Jason Olson (DPE)
Subject: Re: Opening Space at Microsoft PDC
Harrison,
Big thanks for the heads up.
I've just blogged it here: http://www.jackmartinleith.com/?p=3D231
As you'll see, I'm questioning the decision to create the agenda ahead of t=
he conference.
Best wishes,
Jack
Jack Martin Leith
Creating the new. Enriching the world
Bristol, United Kingdom
Mobile: 07831 840541 (+44 7831 840541)
Skype: jackmartinleith
email: jack at jackmartinleith.com
www.jackmartinleith.com=20
2008/6/13 Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>:
Seems like the folks at the annual Microsoft Professional Development Confe=
rence are intending to open a little space. Definitely cutting edge, innova=
tive =96 Cheers for Microsoft. For the details go to:
http://microsoftpdc.com/View.aspx?post=3D91d46819-8472-40ad-a661-2c78acb401=
8c:8590057 Don't have any idea who is doing it, but I am sure they wi=
ll have a grand time.
Harrison=20
* * =0A=0A=0A
*
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OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
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<table cellspacing=3D'0' cellpadding=3D'0' border=3D'0' background=3D'none'=
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<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">Jack, Harrison and all: <?xml:namespace pr=
efix =3D o ns =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></=
SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-US style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US">There is strong evidence that OST is becom=
ing mainstream. </SPAN><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: =
black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">I am not speaking only=
based on the Microsoft event but on some other international conferen=
ces that announced that they are going to use OST. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">But this is also a problem. In some c=
ases, the expression Open Space (or even Open Space Technology) i=
s used, but there are variants in its application that may subvert its flav=
our or event its essence. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">I am not speaking of heterodoxy - that alw=
ays implies that the heterodox knows what the orthodoxy is - but about=
using the label with complete ignorance of the OST User's Guide.<o:p></o:p=
></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">Some 3 or 4 years ago a CPSquare event was=
announced as "OS" but the topics for break out sessions were selected in a=
dvance by the organizers.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">In the Microsoft event, it happens that th=
e person that apparently is opening the space for that "OST" is concerned a=
bout the fact that (fortunately) he will not be able to apply what he think=
s are two rules of OST - but they are not. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">In a different event, where a fried of min=
e will have to assure the logistics part, a lot of strange material ha=
s been asked by the facilitator for the break out spaces of an "OST ev=
ent". <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">I know that a non proprietary methodology =
has no way to enforce its principles. But there are some corrections that c=
an be done easily.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">As you all know, more and more the Wikiped=
ia is the standard for definitions and first information about almost =
everything. And if one googles "Open Space Technology" the first entry refe=
rs to the Wikipedia </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FO=
NT-FAMILY: Arial"><A href=3D"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Space_Techno=
logy" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"mso-ansi-l=
anguage: EN-GB"><FONT color=3D#800080>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Spa=
ce_Technology</FONT></SPAN></A></SPAN><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE=
: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">. =
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">But if one reads the content there are a l=
ot of wrong or misleading information in it. This goes from small impe=
rfections, like the wording of principles, to the fact that the L=
aw is completely forgotten. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">The same is true in other languages. If I =
google "Metodologia de Espa=E7o Aberto" the first enter refers to the Wikip=
edia in Portuguese </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FON=
T-FAMILY: Arial"><A href=3D"http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espa%C3%A7o_aberto=
" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"mso-ansi-langu=
age: EN-GB"><FONT color=3D#800080>http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espa%C3%A7o_=
aberto</FONT></SPAN></A></SPAN><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt;=
COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">. Again the de=
finition is very superficial.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">But anyone can correct the wikipedia (</SP=
AN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A hre=
f=3D"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contributing_to_Wikipedia" targ=
et=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"mso-ansi-language: E=
N-GB"><FONT color=3D#800080>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contribu=
ting_to_Wikipedia</FONT></SPAN></A></SPAN><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-=
SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">)<o=
:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">So, here go my suggestions:<o:p></o:p></SP=
AN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">1) Harrison and a small group of friends c=
ould correct the English entry of the Wikipedia.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">2) Afterwards all of us could use that ver=
sion as a guide and translate it in all of our different languages&nbs=
p;to include in the Wikipedia version in each language.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></=
P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">3) Anyhow the Wikipedia has a li=
nk to the OST site (</SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FO=
NT-FAMILY: Arial"><A href=3D"http://www.openspaceworld.org/" target=3D_blan=
k rel=3Dnofollow><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"><FON=
T color=3D#800080>http://www.openspaceworld.org/</FONT></SPAN></A></SPAN><S=
PAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial=
; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">) but this was initially thought, I =
think, as a resource for practitioners. Now it is used also by non OST prac=
titioners, that can't find easily (in the main page of each language) a sho=
rt, agreed upon, clarification of the principles and fundamentals of O=
ST. This could complement the Wikipedia entries - or even simply repeat the=
m. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">What do you think about my suggestions?<o:=
p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=3DEN-GB style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Regard=
s<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> =
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Artur&=
nbsp;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P> </P>
<P> </P>
<P> <BR>--- On <B>Fri, 6/13/08, Jack Martin Leith <I><jack at jackmart=
inleith.com></I></B> wrote:<BR></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(=
16,16,255) 2px solid">From: Jack Martin Leith <jack at jackmartinleith.com&=
gt;<BR>Subject: Re: [OSLIST] Opening Space at Microsoft PDC<BR>To: OSLIST at L=
ISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR>Date: Friday, June 13, 2008, 11:24 AM<BR><BR>
<DIV id=3Dyiv724475610>
<DIV>Hiya Jason.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Delighted to get your email and to see both blog comments.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Please have another look at <A href=3D"http://www.jackmartinleith.com/=
?p=3D232" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow>www.jackmartinleith.com/?p=3D232</=
A> where you'll see my response to the two numbered points in our seco=
nd comment (also pasted below for the benefit of OSListers).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>And please accept my apologies for getting hold of the wrong end of th=
e stick!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Warmest,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jack</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jack Martin Leith<BR>Creating the new. Enriching the world<BR>Bristol,=
United Kingdom<BR>Mobile: 07831 840541 (+44 7831 840541)<BR>Skype: jackmar=
tinleith<BR>email: <A href=3D"mailto:jack at jackmartinleith.com" target=3D_bl=
ank rel=3Dnofollow>jack at jackmartinleith.com</A><BR><A href=3D"http://www.ja=
ckmartinleith.com/" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow>www.jackmartinleith.com<=
/A> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>-------------------------</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>From <A href=3D"http://www.jackmartinleith.com/?p=3D232" target=3D_bla=
nk rel=3Dnofollow>www.jackmartinleith.com/?p=3D232</A>:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Jason Olson writes further:</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Also, as I mentioned in an email to you, there are two areas that conc=
ern me regarding Open Space as it currently exists for PDC:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>1) Due to the size of the conference (and the fact that Open Space is =
just an un-conference within the larger conference), there isn't a current =
plan to have attendees vote and prioritize the sessions they want to see ta=
lked about (which, unfortunately, removes some of the agile nature of Open =
Space).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>2) No current support for an attendees submitting a topic he's interes=
ted in but doesn't want to speak about or moderate himself.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>As you can imagine, this has me concerned as both of them are departur=
es from the Open Space model. I would love to have a chat here with you and=
your readers on ways that we can avoid this (or if we should even be worry=
ing about it). The biggest key is that I don't want to take a great model l=
ike Open Space and butcher it because we didn't actually "grok" the true pu=
rposes behind Open Space.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>My response to Jason's two posts:</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jason, thanks very much for clearing up my misunderstanding.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>With regard to your two concerns, neither of the practices you describ=
e forms part of the vanilla Open Space model as described by Harrison Owen =
in his book, Open Space Technology: A User's Guide.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In fact most Open Space facilitators don't even suggest that very simi=
lar sessions are merged =96 this is left to the session leaders (convenors,=
hosts, whatever you like to call them) to manage themselves.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Regarding your second point, Open Space is very much about people taki=
ng responsibility for hosting a session. Otherwise Open Space is little mor=
e than a brainstorming meeting: "I think this is an interesting idea, but I=
don't care enough to do something about it."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I'm sure other Open Space practitioners will have more to say about bo=
th of these points!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jack</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>-------------------------<BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=3Dgmail_quote>2008/6/13 Jason Olson (DPE) <<A href=3D"mailto:=
Jason.Olson at microsoft.com" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow>Jason.Olson at micro=
soft.com</A>>:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=3Dgmail_quote style=3D"PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px=
0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid">
<DIV lang=3DEN-US>
<DIV>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">Thanks for the email Jac=
k! I commented on your blog post directly to make the conversation more pub=
lic. My wording may have been a bit unclear. There is no creating of the ag=
enda ahead of the conference. This is something that is created onsite, at =
the conference, by the attendees and for the attendees. This also enables m=
e to avoid having us (Microsoft) try to "dictate" what can or can't be disc=
ussed. This should be an agile process. </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d"> </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">The part that concerns m=
e right now (and where we currently deviate from a typical Open Space), is =
that there is no "attendees vote for the sessions they would like to see an=
d we use that to determine what is presented." Because of the potential num=
ber of people involved, combined with the fact that this is merely a smalle=
r unconference within a larger conference, I'm not convinced that it would =
work. So, currently, it's largely "first come, first serve" when people sig=
n up for an Open Space session. Also, there's really not a supported model =
for submitting a session you want to hear about, but have no clue who can m=
oderate/or discuss the session in general.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d"> </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">As you can imagine, thes=
e two changes make me a bit uneasy considering the departure from what make=
s Open Space great. </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d"> </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d">Of course, I would love =
to hear feedback from you and others if this is a big deal (and if we shoul=
d even worry about it), or if we should avoid this and find a different way=
for the prioritization and participation to occur. </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d"> </SPAN></P>
<P><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #006fa4">Jason Olson</SPAN></B=
><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: gray"></SPAN></B></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: gray">Technical Evangelist | =
;Visual Studio & .NET Framework Evangelism | </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d"><A href=3D"http://www.ma=
naged-world.com/" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow>http://www.managed-world.c=
om/</A></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: gray"></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: #1f497d"> </SPAN></P>
<DIV style=3D"BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b=
5c4df 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: mediu=
m none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-S=
IZE: 10pt"> <A href=3D"mailto:jackmartinleith at gmail.com" target=3D_blank re=
l=3Dnofollow>jackmartinleith at gmail.com</A> [mailto:<A href=3D"mailto:jackma=
rtinleith at gmail.com" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow>jackmartinleith at gmail.c=
om</A>] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Jack Martin Leith<BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, June =
13, 2008 9:11 AM<BR><B>To:</B> OSLIST<BR><B>Cc:</B> Jason Olson (DPE)<BR><B=
>Subject:</B> Re: Opening Space at Microsoft PDC</SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=3DWj3C7c>
<P> </P>
<DIV>
<P>Harrison,</P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P>Big thanks for the heads up.</P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P>I've just blogged it here: <A href=3D"http://www.jackmartinleith.com/?p=
=3D231" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow>http://www.jackmartinleith.com/?p=3D=
231</A></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P>As you'll see, I'm questioning the decision to create the agenda ahead o=
f the conference.</P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P>Best wishes,</P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P>Jack</P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt">Jack Martin Leith<BR>Creating the new. Enr=
iching the world<BR>Bristol, United Kingdom<BR>Mobile: 07831 840541 (+44 78=
31 840541)<BR>Skype: jackmartinleith<BR>email: <A href=3D"mailto:jack at jackm=
artinleith.com" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow>jack at jackmartinleith.com</A>=
<BR><A href=3D"http://www.jackmartinleith.com/" target=3D_blank rel=3Dnofol=
low>www.jackmartinleith.com</A> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P>2008/6/13 Harrison Owen <<A href=3D"mailto:hhowen at verizon.net" target=
=3D_blank rel=3Dnofollow>hhowen at verizon.net</A>>:</P>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Seems like the folks at the annual Micro=
soft Professional Development Conference are intending to open a little spa=
ce. Definitely cutting edge, innovative =96 Cheers for Microsoft. For the d=
etails go to:</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><A href=3D"http://microsoftpdc.com/View.=
aspx?post=3D91d46819-8472-40ad-a661-2c78acb4018c:8590057" target=3D_blank r=
el=3Dnofollow>http://microsoftpdc.com/View.aspx?post=3D91d46819-8472-40ad-a=
661-2c78acb4018c:8590057</A> Don't have any idea who is doing it, but=
I am sure they will have a grand time.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Harrison </SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P>* * </P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQU=
OTE></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></td></tr></table><br>=0A=0A=0A=0A
*
*
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
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