[OSList] Open Space wherever, however, whenever, with whomever as often as you can

Wed Dec 9 13:55:54 PST 2015

I hear you Daniel. There are needs not being addressed, and here's a guy
saying he will address them.

I don't share the perspective that Mr. Trump's rhetoric has not been openly
shared for years in the public square. Unless Fox News and several allied
websites and radio talk shows are not considered to be the public square.

I see a difference between censorship and the fact that these ideas have
not gained traction in a large majority of the US American public. Maybe
they are just bad ideas, stoking the fears of a shrinking portion of the
electorate.

I imagine it's a relief and exciting to his supporters to hear a US
presidential candidate speak them on the campaign trail. Except that other
candidates have done so in this and previous US elections. He's better at
it as a personality, sure. Maybe that's key.

He is being more provocative than ever these days, and perhaps opening
space for fascism is indeed bringing something out of the shadows that will
eventually have a healthy outcome when it is defeated soundly, and its
adherents open their hearts to the Others who have been demonized.

(One of my former colleagues hosts space for children of Nazis and children
of Holocaust survivors to reconcile the historical trauma. Very powerful.)

But inciting supporters to physically attack people across the continent is
way more like closing space than opening it.

Thanks for the conversation - perhaps we will find common ground at some
point.

Jeff

I wonder if I am not such a good communicator.

Setting aside the topic of the uninviting and unlovely for a moment, let us
return to the issue of suppression and repression of thoughts which want
legitimate expression. "Closed space" suppresses. And represses. And
OPPRESSES. In this case, there is suppression and repression and OPPRESSION
of conversations that want to happen, apparently. Guessing.

Is this the entire source of energy-- the "fuel"--  for the so-called
"space invader" Mr. Trump?

*Pretend*, just for the moment, that what I am about to say is true....

(Please prepare to pretend. And go there. Pretend. If you cannot go there
now, you are not advised to scroll further at this time.)

<HERETICAL EXPRESSION OF THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS>

<HISTRIONIC RANT>

Mr. Trump is OPENING some space, to discuss and OPENLY question: borders,
boundaries, illegal immigration, globalist trade with China, etc.

Apparently, many in the electorate are approving (authorizing) these
conversations as offered by Mr. Trump, conversations that have not found
any quarter, no space whatsoever for uncensored and legitimately open
expression in the public square. The term censorship comes to mind.

Perhaps space has been closed around the discussion of these difficult
topics for so very long, that what Mr. Trump is doing, besides being quite
obnoxious, also quite refreshing to many people who are happy to see their
thoughts and feelings and ideas and concerns expressed in SOME way the
public square. Mr. Trump resonates. How is this so? Such a situation seemed
impossible just a few short months ago.

Perhaps Mr. Trump is accessing the deep shadow energy that results from an
unrelenting and constant suppression and "repression of expression" around
difficult issues. Closed space.

Mr. Trump seems to be accessing what has unwisely been suppressed and
repressed.

*How is this even possible if the marketplace of ideas is legitimately open
for business?*

And so I conclude that Mr. Trump is OPENING space. Yes, he is being
violent. Yes he is being obnoxious. Set that aside for now.

As an exercise, imagine an outrageously obnoxious Open Space called by Mr.
Trump, on the Mall in DC.

The theme is* MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN: IN SERVICE TO WHAT*

Hmm, all the conditions for a good Open Space appear to be present.

I wonder what kind of experience my ensue, who and how many might show up
to question that slogan, defend that slogan, discuss "what it means," etc.

As it stands, the space is closed, so let's not go there. More dark energy
thus created. Advantage Trump.

</HISTRIONIC RANT>

</HERETICAL EXPRESSION OF THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS>

On 12/9/15 2:27 PM, Jeff Aitken wrote:

>
> Hey Daniel, I don't think Mr. Trump has any problem finding his breakout
in the open space of the contemporary world. I find the issue exactly to be
that he wishes to close off the space to others.
>
> He's being a space invader. How do you handle a space invader? Maybe if
we both gave him a big hug.
>
> Jeff