[OSList] Facilitating the Uncovering of Assumptions

Thu Sep 19 09:40:12 PDT 2013

Harrison and Michael, 

I think you two are missing my point by responding to the metaphor, which as all metaphors has limitations, rather than what I am trying to say about the appropriate application of conversation enhancing tools at appropriate points as purposes emerge that call for that sort of structure.  I see that as entirely within the processes of chaos, complexity, pattern emergence, self-organization, and autopoiesis.  As I said, it represents a creative tension, but I did not say nor do I believe that conversation that is deep and productive is linear or logical.  Just that there are tools that can enhance it.  Many are in fact iterative, as Cassandra mentions, many are visual organizers (for those of us who are visual and not as auditory in our learning process) or kinesthetic, in that they get people up and moving and interacting in physical as well as cognitive space.  These could be considered "strange attractors" for conversation deepening.  Paradoxically, something I learned from my yoga and meditation practice, it is often a choice of "what to bind ourselves to" (structure) that allows us greater freedom to create and express.  We don't just flow out in all directions; we coalesce around questions and emergent processes.  Why not use our collective wisdom about processes that "bind" us in order to gain more freedom and power in our expression?  

John

On Sep 19, 2013, at 5:17 AM, Harrison Owen wrote:

> John – what you say makes perfect sense. Good conversation should be linear and logical, flowing in a single direction. Sounds effective and efficient. But my experience just doesn’t get me to that place. Over the years I have found several things – First, most people don’t have a clue what they are talking about until they start to talk. Secondly, The beginnings of all deep rich conversations always go in circles. The end point of rich conversations rarely if ever match the original goal. So while it may be possible the “shape the river banks” it turns out that the river really does have a mind of its own. The only effective driver I’ve found is genuine and shared passion – call it common caring. Given that, no added process is needed. Indeed, any added process inevitably produces a sub-optimal result.
>  
> Harrison
>  
> Harrison Owen
> 7808 River Falls Dr.
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> From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of John Watkins
> Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 9:14 PM
> To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
> Subject: Re: [OSList] Facilitating the Uncovering of Assumptions
>  
> As much as I love OST, and as much as I recognize the inevitability and desirability of emergent processes, as well as their power to engage and compel people, after some twenty-seven years (probably more, but at least officially) facilitating groups and watching groups engaged in deep conversation about important topics, I firmly believe there is nothing like the appropriate and creative application of a structure to a conversational problem or issue at the right time.  That is, so often as people talk, an idea for how to organize the conversation for maximum creative input emerges (and often it is someone with some knowledge of great process tools, though that may not necessarily be an official "facilitator") that dramatically increases the ability of the group to dig deeper and go further and achieve some intention or accomplishment they might not have without it.  An example is using graphic organizers, such as concept mapping tools, to organize the ideas that are emerging in the conversation.  Or analytic tools, or causal mapping tools, or ways to rank ideas.  All of these add value to conversation by providing structures that enhance emergent purposes toward accomplishing something of value.  So, to me, the challenge becomes, not, how can we get out of the way and let it all just flow, but how can we appropriately help guide the definition of the banks of the river so the flow is powerful and focused and dynamic?  Great questions, always, frame great conversations, per Harrison's point below.  And sometimes it helps to have a process to use to address them.  World Cafe is one such process that helps structure the conversation and guide the energy.  I see it as a creative tension.  I see it also as a necessary tension to address in how groups work together.  I'd love to hear others' reflections on this question.
>  
> John
>  
> On Sep 18, 2013, at 4:20 PM, Harrison Owen wrote:
> 
> 
> You will not be surprised to learn that I suspect you are working much too hard. Just open space with a question – “What are the issues and opportunities for bringing Justice to our world?” If anybody cares, it will be rich. And no special design required.
>  
> ho
>  
> 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
>  
> From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Evan Walsh
> Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 4:35 PM
> To: OSLIST
> Subject: [OSList] Facilitating the Uncovering of Assumptions
>  
> Beautiful OS community,
>  
> My question is not strictly focused on Open Space or its application, but since I know you each have a wealth of experience in all kinds of hosting, I couldn't help but see if you could help me.
>  
> For an upcoming conference, we would like to host spaces that encourage participants to (i) discover how assumptions that are left unexplored contribute to broken systems and injustice, and (ii) explore and identify assumptions we may be holding that could be playing into those systems of injustice.
>  
> So my question for you is: Do you know of any amazing activities, structures, spaces that facilitate the uncovering and identification of assumptions? 
>  
> Ideally we would like this uncovering to happen in a safe and constructive way (i.e. We don't want people shouting at one another pointing out their biases).
>  
> One example we've thought of us the Human Library, which is a beautiful way of breaking down barriers. Any other examples you've come across? Any stories to share? Have you seen this happen in OS? What lead to it?
>  
> Thank you,
>  
> Evan
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