[OSList] Intro and inquiry: Open Space with some off-limits topics

[Harrison Owen]

Welcome Dan!

Restricting conversation is something that some people have tried. And I
guess they think it works. But that has never been my experience. Of course,
every Open Space needs a theme to define the general area of discourse.
That, after all, is why people come -- or don't. Your Agile community would
scarcely show up for a gathering focused on "The Future of American
Dentistry." And I doubt that the dentists would be too intrigued with the
"Agile Passions." 

But once the general theme has been determined, everything else is "fair
game" in my book. The reasons are several. First, when you limit the areas
of exploration you also limit the possibility of innovation and renewal,
which in my book is the major objective. And if it isn't -- why get together
anyhow?

A second reason, which is the clincher for me... is that even if you tell
everybody that "certain areas" are off limits -- there is not much chance
that they will actually pay attention. Especially if the areas are
interesting. As a matter of fact, I suspect that by proscribing certain
discussion, you actually insure that it will come up. I guess you could call
that the "forbidden fruit" syndrome. Or maybe "beans in the nose" (Never
tell a child not to put beans in their nose, because they will surely do
it.)

So the "forbidden fruit" will be discussed, but perhaps not publically. And
that just creates more problems. I think that is the way you grow elephants,
and other nasty creatures that lurk in the shadows.

So I have never found any reason or profit in limiting the conversation.

Harrison 

Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
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USA

189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)
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Phone 301-365-2093
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www.openspaceworld.com
www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)
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-----Original Message-----
From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Dan Mezick
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 11:30 AM
To: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Subject: [OSList] Intro and inquiry: Open Space with some off-limits topics

Hi,

I am a respectful lurker who now has an inquiry, so it is time to 
introduce myself.

Hi! I am Dan Mezick, coach to Agile teams, their sponsors, and executive 
management. I live in CT. I am friendly, curious and playful. I enjoy 
conducting frequent experiments. I like to be surprised and learn.  I 
have a history of software development. I receive a software patent in 
1999.  In 2003, I run an elaborate search engine optimization experiment 
that results in over 120,000 unsolicited, incoming web links from all 
around the world, in 20 days. Those 120,00++ links-in result in a #1 
Google rank for over 7 years.

Now I am curious about Open Space. I play with it. I read all the books 
from Harrison. I experience many surprises as I read these books.  I 
convene five OST events in Boston since 2009. The largest is the Agile 
Boston Open Space in Sept 2010 where 275 people participate. I have 
experience directly facilitating some smaller OST meetings for clients 
recently.

I am currently quite fascinated with Open Space and OST dynamics.

This list is very awesome and awe-inspiring. I am very happy to be here.

If you like to be surprised, you may enjoy this:
http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/esp.html


Here is my inquiry:


My Inquiry
=========

"Let' s not go there."

This is a common utterance used in conversation, one that clearly 
signals that the space is closed to that topic.

Open Space, limited by only a broad Theme, is not very limiting. 
Authority often is concerned with this wide-ranging freedom to explore 
"just about anything" when considering OST, and what might result from 
that afterward.

I wonder if any of us have experience with doing OST with some sections 
in the discussion-space explicitly closed.

I wonder how these limits are expressed-in-fact; for example inside the 
Invite or in the composition of the Theme.

I wonder how the "explicitly stated as closed" space is then 
successfully maintained in an OST setting. I then wonder how much fun 
the event is, when some space is closed.

I wonder also, if this is an oxymoron, that just does not work very 
well, ever.

I think have read here somewhere here, in a passing comment, that 
sometimes, certain topics are closed in OS meeting.

I wonder if anyone has experience trying this, and if any specific 
knowledge about this is documented explicitly anywhere.

Thank you for your help ! I am preparing to be surprised.
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