[OSList] Electronic Open Space

[Harrison Owen]

Ever since it seems like we have been trying to set Open Space to Electrons.
Or at the very least do what might be called, Electronic Open Space. The
first formal entry was Gabriel Ender with a program that is running just
fine, so far as I know. And her effort has been added too by several
illustrious souls, all to good effect. But I think I have just seen
something, and it was hiding there in plain sight. The truth of the matter
is that we have been doing "electronic open space" for a long time, and it
happened pretty much all by itself. Self organizing, you might say.

 

I had this blinding flash of the obvious last night as I read through the
various postings related to David's activities in Africa. There it was.
Working perfectly, and we didn't have to do a thing, so to speak. All the
parts were there: We have a bulletin board - you guessed it - Good Old
OSLIST. It may seem like it has a lot of stuff on it, but actually it is a
blank, unending wall waiting to be filled with the passions and concerns of
anybody in the circle (very big one, and quite invisible). Sometimes the
action takes place right at the wall - but often, and I suspect most often,
the serious discussions take place in multitudinous electronic "breakout"
spaces. In the case of David's efforts, and thanks to Tricia - that was the
several SKYPE conversations. To this we could add our NING, and I am sure
several others. What was sometimes missing is the "Harvest." A short report
to bring everybody up to date. By no means complete, but more than
sufficient to outline the general thrust and provide the means for more
information, if so desired. Tricia's Report is a perfect example! And
Chuni's update on happenings in New Jersey is another. 

 

I do love it when stuff happens all by itself, and it is also true that a
little help and intention, might even make it work better. Specifically, if
we could all remember The Harvest. Just like in physical Open Space - nobody
HAS to make a report, but when the subject is relevant and the discussion
juicy, it sure is wonderful. We have long since learned that different
groups with different topics like different sorts of spaces - bigger,
smaller, inside, outside, formal, or at the bar. The same thing is true in
our electronic world, I think. Some folks just can't get a thing done
without graphics, others require real faces and sound - and we now have all
of that with abundance: Skype, Google Docs, Ning, etc, etc. And we can and
should pick our venue of choice. But then - Don't forget the harvest! We all
really do care, even if we don't want every last detail. Just a blinding
flash of the obvious, I thought. 

 

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

 

189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)

Camden, Maine 04843

 

Phone 301-365-2093

(summer)  207-763-3261

 

www.openspaceworld.com 

www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)

To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST
Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/pipermail/oslist-openspacetech.org/attachments/20130326/fffae581/attachment-0007.htm>