Anti Laws of OST

Wed May 27 07:53:46 PDT 2009

Traditional classical music is composed using "rules" that relate to the harmonic properties of musical sound. After the early 20th century, when 12-tone composition was seen to be moving beyond the traditional constraints imposed by those harmonic properties, composers had to make up their own rules. Igor Stravinsky (who composed during an era when the "old rules" had been largely discredited) apparently once said that he had to invent his own rules (or set his own boundaries, if you will) in order to compose. The boundaries might change with every new composition, but without boundaries he could not find creativity.

Much closer to home, I am a vegetarian and I find that I really enjoy the creativity that comes from cooking within the boundaries of "no meat".

I am a "not-yet" practitioner of OS but it seems to me from what I've seen on this list that the beauty of the "principles and law" are that they set the boundaries that allow the creativity to emerge.

Respectfully,
Carey

________________________________
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Larry Peterson
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 3:44 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: [OSLIST] 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<mailto: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

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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 .  www.DerrickMathewsConsulting.co.uk<http://www.derrickmathewsconsulting.co.uk/>

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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

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Director
Babel Fish Group Pty Ltd
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