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

Thu Dec 10 12:28:26 PST 2015

Dan – Can’t really disagree with a lot of what you are saying – Trump has clearly found a resonant chord, articulating many thoughts and feelings that should have been exposed to some fresh air and open discussion – even if very unpleasant. And Open Space has proved itself useful and effective in situations of exceeding complexity and conflict. Israelis and Palestinians, Rabbis and Imams, Labor and Management, National Governments and revolutionary forces, Indigenous Peoples and Bureaucrats.... just to name a few. And of course Trump would be welcome, along with everybody else who cares. But in all honesty I can’t really imagine The Donald showing up. Could be wrong of course, and I’ve never met the gentlemen personally and face to face. However, if his press is any indication, I can’t help but feel that he would find real open space absolutely terrifying. The Big Lie (250,000 mad Muslims cheering wildly in Jersey City, etc) doesn’t do very well when a truly diverse group has the opportunity to check things out. And demagogic behavior typically wilts in the face of the law of two feet. Of course is it always possible to maintain attendance with a few AK47s at the door (“Rough people up”) but that does tend to close the space.

Comparisons may be odious, but sometimes inescapable, at least for me. As I watch the peregrinations of The Donald, I can’t help but  recall a certain Adolph Schicklgruber. Perhaps better known as Adolph Hitler. There is no question that Hitler expressed deeply felt hurts and frustrations of the German people. The Armistice Terms of World War I, although apparently justified in the eyes of the Allies, cut deeply into the economic and social fabric of Germany. Hitler played on that pain with exquisite demagogic skill. He invented (I think) The Big Lie. He converted the perceived humiliations of the past into the spirit of pride and righteous indignation (exceptionalism?).  He elevated the Fear of The Other into a fine (albeit demonic) art form for the purposes of social organization and control. We all know the results.

The presence of Hitler on the world stage was clearly destructive. However – 70 years after the fall of the Third Reich – and given all of the tumultuous and exciting happenings in the interim – Adolph Schicklgruber seems to me something of a momentary blip, a sad demented character... more of a sign or symptom of the ongoing transformative process of humanity than a fundamental cause. I am pretty sure that the day will come when The Donald will be viewed in similar terms: A symptom of the ongoing transformation.

Immediately after the Paris events I posted a note to the effect that this is a transformative moment. That may seem to be a blatant statement of the obvious, but for many people, transformation has become a synonym  for change (all the “best” organizations are now transforming) or only a wuwu experience. Hardly earth shattering. Classically, I believe, Transformation is understood to be made of sterner stuff. The traditional Christian version goes Life, Death, and Resurrection. Other traditions use different words, but come out at a similar place. Transformation is serious, and inevitably painful business.

The contemporary version goes Steady State, Chaos, New Order (New and higher levels of complexity). The brand name varies, but Complexity Theory, Chaos Theory, Emergence, Self Organization are common ones. We are learning more about this phenomenon all the time, but it does seem that the more we learn the clearer it becomes that we can’t even think at that level of complex, fast moving interconnectivity. We joke about The Butterfly Effect – but it’s no joke. The Butterflies rule. And if we are honest, I believe we will have to admit that neither we, nor anybody else, has a clue what’s actually happening, where we might be heading, and how we could actually resolve the multiple issues, known and unknown, that humanity confronts. The Donald to the contrary.

Under the circumstances, now might be an exceptionally good time to get off the planet, cash in our chips, and hope for a better day. Indeed that would appear to be the logical, perhaps only alternative. Except....for a very curious fact. Given all of the terrible things that did happen, might have happened, should have happened, could have happened during our stay on this planet, it is totally amazing that we are still here to complain how bad things have gotten. Somehow we’ve muddled through – as the Brits would say. Might happen again.

If it has occurred to you, as you have read along, that the process of Transformation and the process of Self Organization are in fact one and the same, that could be wishful thinking, or it might just be true. Personally, I vote for the latter. A wild and wooly grasping at wispy straws.... or it could just provide a needed clue to what we might be doing in the midst of all the ambient chaos.

If we are actually in a transformative moment it would be equally true that we are engaged in the process of self organization yet one more time. Once again, humanity is shattering through the accustomed life forms, social norms, cultural patterns with all the attendant pain, disorientation and confusion – to say nothing of chaos and conflict. It is all natural. It all comes with the territory. And we are definitely not in charge. Whatever plan there might be has not been revealed to us, and for sure it is not our plan. One thing, however, does seem to be clear. Wherever we are going, we won’t get there unless we all work together. 

Drafting that plan of work would be a tall order. One might say impossible. But I think there is reasonable evidence that we really don’t have to. Both Transformation and Self Organization happen without our intervention or design....I do believe. But we can help ourselves through it all. How? You guessed it. Open Space wherever, however, whenever, with whomever – as often as you can. We may make it. We may not. But it will surely be exciting.

Harrison

Winter Address

7808 River Falls Drive

Potomac, MD 20854

301-365-2093

Summer Address

189 Beaucaire Ave.

Camden, ME 04843

207-763-3261

Websites

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com

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

From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Daniel Mezick via OSList
Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2015 3:32 PM
To: Jeff Aitken; World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: Re: [OSList] Open Space wherever, however, whenever, with whomever as often as you can

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

On Dec 9, 2015 11:10 AM, "Daniel Mezick via OSList" <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

Are we to invite only those who are inviting?  Only those who are lovely?  

If we invite the uninviting and love the unlovely, the rest is up to them. 

Is it not? 

Isn't that how opening space actually goes?

Daniel 

PS See also: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performative_contradiction

On 12/9/15 1:30 PM, Jan Höglund via OSList wrote:

Well, who does Donal Trump invite? Not Muslims obviously.

I just read "Talking to the Enemy" by Scott Atran https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14848338-talking-to-the-enemy

Yes, it's about opening space...

I'll write a book review some day.

/Jan

  _____  

To: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2015 09:49:23 -0500
Subject: Re: [OSList] Open Space wherever, however, whenever, with whomever as often as you can
From: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org

Wait. Is Donald Trump invited? His ideas? 

Are those who have thus far repressed similar thoughts and feelings as expressed by Trump...are they also invited?

Because: if he is not, if they are not, if those ideas are not, then: the space that is purportedly open is in fact closed.

VERY closed.

Perhaps this dynamic is what causing Trump's various expressions to resonate? Perhaps this dynamic is in fact energizing Trump's campaign?

http://www.trans4mind.com/jamesharveystout/repress.htm
Repression. It is similar to suppression in that a thought or feeling or emotion is not expressed -- but in repression, we deny that the element even exists. 

On 12/8/15 7:48 AM, Harrison Owen via OSList wrote:

“Donald Trump calls for ‘total’ ban on Muslims entering United States” 

(Washington Post 12/8/15)

Donald Trump has said what some people here in the USA (and elsewhere in the world) have also been saying and feeling. These are the words of fear. Unfortunately they are also the words of a demagogue, seeking to play upon the fears of others. That there is danger is clear, but an infinitely greater danger is that we sacrifice our essential humanity to our fear. Sealing our borders, closing our doors and windows... we close our space. And while it may appear safer, that is an allusion. Life cannot be lived without space to live in. We are no exception.

Recently we have been celebrating the warmth and depth of this global community. It is a wonder. But the beauty of this community is not an inherent gift, I believe. Rather it is the reflection of what we do. Opening Space. Opening space is not magic. We did not invent it. It is not even complicated. At root level it is simply inviting people to be fully who and what they are, to greet each other and to enjoy the space. We can do it. We can invite others to do it. And now is the time.

Harrison 

Winter Address

7808 River Falls Drive

Potomac, MD 20854

301-365-2093

Summer Address

189 Beaucaire Ave.

Camden, ME 04843

207-763-3261

Websites

www.openspaceworld.com <https://%20www.openspaceworld.com> 

www.ho-image.com

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

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-- 
Daniel Mezick
Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
(203) 915 7248 <tel:%28203%29%20915%207248> . Bio. <http://www.DanielMezick.com/>  Blog. <http://www.NewTechUSA.net/blog/>  Twitter. <https://twitter.com/DanielMezick>  
Book: The Culture Game. <http://theculturegame.com/>  
Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook. <http://www.amazon.com/OpenSpace-Agility-Handbook-Daniel-Mezick/dp/0984875336>  

_______________________________________________ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org Past archives can be viewed here: http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org

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-- 
Daniel Mezick
Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
(203) 915 7248 <tel:%28203%29%20915%207248> . Bio. <http://www.DanielMezick.com/>  Blog. <http://www.NewTechUSA.net/blog/>  Twitter. <https://twitter.com/DanielMezick>  
Book: The Culture Game. <http://theculturegame.com/>  
Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook. <http://www.amazon.com/OpenSpace-Agility-Handbook-Daniel-Mezick/dp/0984875336>  

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Past archives can be viewed here: http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org

-- 
Daniel Mezick
Culture Strategist. Author. Keynoter.
(203) 915 7248. Bio. <http://www.DanielMezick.com/>  Blog. <http://www.NewTechUSA.net/blog/>  Twitter. <https://twitter.com/DanielMezick>  
Book: The Culture Game. <http://theculturegame.com/>  
Book: The OpenSpace Agility Handbook. <http://www.amazon.com/OpenSpace-Agility-Handbook-Daniel-Mezick/dp/0984875336>  

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