Anti Laws of OST
Harrison Owen
hhowen at verizon.net
Wed May 27 07:23:44 PDT 2009
Right on Larry - and I found a very curious and embarrassing typo in my
small piece. I said, "They (the Principles and the Law) are descriptive as
opposed to descriptive." I meant to say,"They are descriptive as opposed to
prescriptive." Point is neither the Law nor the Principles tell you what to
do - they simply alert everybody to what will be taking place no matter
what. I think that is a useful function, but it really doesn't change a
thing. In short - there will come a day when The Law and The Principles can
be assigned to that wonderful status of "One more thing not to do."
Harrison
Harrison Owen
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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Larry
Peterson
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:44 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Anti Laws of OST
For me, there is more sense in the "Principles and Law" than non-sense.
Stewart Kauffman explores the importance of some form of "boundaries" or
"container" for self-organization, particularly that of cells. He believes
(with strong scientific evidence) that real physical work only gets done
within some "boundaries" or it dissipates. Cells, he asserts, co-create
their "boundaries" with their environment through self-organizing
relationships in every moment. The boundaries are permeable, constructs,
open to interchange with their environment. (No such thing as a closed
system!)
Harrison, I believe you have articulated a set of socially constructed
permeable "boundaries" for enhancing human self-organization - including the
focus/theme, principles and law. These set a temporary set of "boundaries"
or a "container" both focused and open that change the perceived conditions
for self-organization at an event or meeting. Self-organization is
happening all the time, in every moment. Our mental maps (in practice) and
feelings shape what we do as we self-organize - what topics we propose and
who we connect to. Are they necessary for self-organization (Open Space) -
no, it is happening all the time as order emerges. Do they (or other
similar statements about the social framework for our self-organizing) help
people to self-organize in exciting and creative ways? I think so.
Larry
Larry Peterson & Associates in Transformation
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
larry at spiritedorg.com 416.653.4829 http://www.spiritedorg.com
<http://www.spiritedorg.com/>
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
Sent: May-25-09 2:59 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: [OSLIST] Anti Laws of OST
Just to render the whole thing non-sensical, the 4 principles and one law
are neither laws nor principles actually. To be honest they are just my (and
others') observations of what seemed to be happening in any case. In a word
they are descriptive as opposed to descriptive - You could say it is all a
joke. Rather like "technology" in the phrase Open Space Technology. The
joke, however turned out to be outrageously funny - because somehow or
another truth broke through. We are in serious trouble! Everybody knows that
what happens in Open Space simply can't happen. Unfortunately it does - and
that makes a joke out of a whole mess of other stuff - like most of what we
think we know about meetings, the management of meetings, and management
itself. Double trouble!!
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 Derrick
Mathews
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 9:44 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: Anti Laws of OST
Hi Andrew
I am unsure if you can have anti laws with regard to the principles.
First of all the process is based on "SELF" (the most important concept
here)-organisation which involved participation or non-participation which
involves human choice. Even if you adopt a Doris Day approach (Que Serra,
Serra, whatever will be, will be, the future's not ours to see, que serra,
serra, am I giving my age away knowing this song lol) your choice to let
things happen is an intervention and so you have influenced the process
making what happens the only thing that could have.
If you do not turn up then you have had an influence of non-influence on
the process and outcome so you have been involved and have been part of the
right people.
What ever happens is the only thing as if you are "involved" your
involvement changes the dynamic and outcome, likewise if you are "involved"
via no-involvement you affect the dynamic in a different way and as I stated
above what then happens is the only thing that could have.
Likewise when it starts is because someone made a choice to start it and you
are "involved" or "not" which still has impact and similarly it's over
because there is a choice made that it is over via group consensus or an
individual's choice that for them it is over.
Everything is in some way linked and interdependent and what we choose to do
or not do, ripples out to affect all around us.
We just need to always endeavour to impact in a positive way.
Anyhoo, hope this adds to the confusion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
And on another thread, where are the most unusual places that folks know OST
has happened?
I recently had the pleasure of opening space for a great group of young
people (that's anyone younger than me) from about 9 different parts of
Europe who had come together In Londonderry to be involved in an Up-cycling
project of Trash to Treasure which also involved a 1 day OS.
One participant selected the swimming pool as an additional breakout space
and it was one of the best attended sessions with the details of the
conversation recorded at the side of the pool by anyone out of the water.
Maybe the fifth unspoken principle is;
Where ever it happens is the right place/only place it could have happened
Regards
Derrick
Why not check out our website to view our services .
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_____
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Andrew
Rixon
Sent: 24 May 2009 02:10
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Anti Laws of OST
Dear All,
Recently I've been pondering / wondering about what might be the Anti-laws
of OST.
For instance.
"What isn't happening are all the things that should be"
Or
"What didn't happen are all the things that should have"
As opposed to.
"Whatever happens is the only thing that could have or did"
What are your thoughts on other "complimentary" anti-laws? :-)
Warm regards,
Andrew
--
Andrew Rixon PhD
Director
Babel Fish Group Pty Ltd
Skype: AndrewJRixon
Mobile: 0400 352 809
Fax: (03) 8610 0162
Email: andrew at babelfishgroup.com
URL: http://www.babelfishgroup.com/
Interested in Story and Narrative? Be sure not to miss our national
conference October 8 and 9th titled: "Celebrating Story: Approaching change
one story at a time". Download the interactive brochure here
<http://www.babelfishgroup.com/files/CelebratingStoryConference.pdf> .
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