[OSList] OST: T for Technology

Tue May 5 14:02:25 PDT 2015

Chris – You should know better than to suggest that I tell a story... But you did.

It was 1989 in Bombay (now Mumbai). My friend and colleague, one V.S. Mahesh, a senior member of the Tata Administrative Service Corps, had invited me to do a series of lectures, in addition to an Open Space conference in Goa. How could I resist? 

At the conclusion of the several programs, Mahesh convened a press conference for the business reporters of India. This was rather a formal event, and in the way of such things in India, Mahesh’s introduction of myself seemed to go on forever. He covered my CV in detail, including articles and activities I had forgotten, one of which was a review of a colleague’s book entitled, “Global Management Principles.” This 725 page monster described the work of 4 management theorists under such headings as, “Primal Management,” “Developmental Management,” – and last,  “Metaphysical Management,”  ...and that was me.

As Mahesh drew to a heart stopping close, he said... It is my pleasure to introduce Harrison Owen  ... and Harrison will you please explain to the gentlemen of the press what you mean by Metaphysical Management and Open Space...Technology. And he sat down.

I think I could have shot him. “Metaphysical Management” was the invention of a colleague. I think I know what he was getting at, but it surely would not have been my choice of wording. As for Open Space Technology, that was, I do believe, Mahesh’s invention. “Open Space,” I admit to... as for “Technology” – I can only think that Mahesh got on a roll. “Metaphysical Management” was pretty cool. But “Open Space” was a little weak. Needed a tweak.  “Technology” might just make it into the titles of the next day’s articles. 

Mahesh was right. The Press took the bait. And we have been stuck with it ever since. 

So that’s the story... as best as I can tell it. But I think there is a moral. If we ever take what we are doing too seriously, we are definitely in trouble. What we “do” is really a joke. Truthfully, it all happens by itself. We just take naps... if we are smart.

Harrison 

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Websites

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From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Chris Corrigan via OSList
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2015 3:26 PM
To: Daniel Mezick; World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: Re: [OSList] OST: T for Technology

It’s a great story full of Indian strategy, face saving moments, hinterland New York Times bureaux, and the wisdom never to counter free publicity…

Over to you Harrison!

Chris

On May 5, 2015, at 2:18 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

Some folks do not consider open space to be a 'technology', hence the reference to 'dumb'...

I am clueless: What is the origin story of the term "Open Space Technology?"

Does Japanese journalism play a role in this story? I heard maybe ...

On 5/5/15 3:16 AM, John Baxter wrote:

Daniel

I must have missed the memo where it was decided that 'Technology' was dumb : )

I personally use 'social technology', but the language we use to define objects in the social/cultural/information world is very nebulous... I guess because our conceptualisation is unclear.

Interesting article

Cheers

John Baxter

Cocreation Consultant & CoCreate Adelaide Facilitator

 <http://www.jsbaxter.com.au/> jsbaxter.com.au | CoCreateADL.com <http://cocreateadl.com/> 

0405 447 829

 | 

@ <http://twitter.com/jsbaxter_> jsbaxter_

Thank you to everyone who came, helped or spread the good word about City Grill!

Summary and links: cocreateadl.com/localgov/grill-summary/

On Sun, Apr 26, 2015 at 11:08 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

Greetings All, 

We say "Open Space Technology". 

So: Is Open Space "culture technology?" If so, maybe that "T" for technology is not so misplaced, after all...

...maybe not so much of a joke, after all ?

Culture Tech

If we look at the so-called "liberating structures" such as World Cafe, Fishbowl, OST, we can see these are generally grouped together under this "liberating structures" banner.

Many of them are designs for gatherings (aka "meetings" in some locales...)

I think the "liberating structures" such as World Cafe, Fishbowl, OST are actually, and in fact: "culture technology."

To this culture-tech list, we may safely add: Scrum. Sociocracy. Core Protocols.

And culture technology wants to be free.

And so I've written a little essay on that, you can see it here:

Culture Technology Wants To Be Free
https://medium.com/@DanielMezick/culture-technology-wants-to-be-free-c2e180a844a5

So maybe the T in OST is not so dumb, after all?

Daniel 

Related Links:

Scrum Guide
http://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html

Sociocratic Norms
http://wayofthecircle.org/pattern-language/

Core Protocols
http://liveingreatness.com/

PS. The Core Protocols folks, Michele & Jim McCarthy, call their stuff "software for your head." My current belief is that all culture-technologies (like OST for example?) are in fact 'software for your head."

PSS. (Sidebar question: My understanding is that a Japanese journalist coined this "OST" term and it stuck. What is the origin story of this term? Where can it be found on the web?)

-- 

Daniel Mezick, President

New Technology Solutions Inc.

(203) 915 7248 <tel:%28203%29%20915%207248>  (cell)

Bio <http://newtechusa.net/dan-mezick/> . Blog <http://newtechusa.net/blog/> . Twitter <http://twitter.com/#%21/danmezick/> . 

Examine my new book:  The Culture Game <http://newtechusa.net/about/the-culture-game-book/>  : Tools for the Agile Manager.

Explore Agile Team Training <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-training/>  and Coaching. <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-coaching/> 

Explore the Agile Boston <http://newtechusa.net/user-groups/ma/>  Community. 

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-- 

Daniel Mezick, President

New Technology Solutions Inc.

(203) 915 7248 (cell)

Bio <http://newtechusa.net/dan-mezick/> .  <http://newtechusa.net/blog/> Blog.  <http://twitter.com/#%21/danmezick/> Twitter. 

Examine my new book:   <http://newtechusa.net/about/the-culture-game-book/> The Culture Game : Tools for the Agile Manager.

Explore Agile Team  <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-training/> Training and  <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-coaching/> Coaching.

Explore the  <http://newtechusa.net/user-groups/ma/> Agile Boston Community. 

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