[OSList] The Tyranny of Structurelessness

[Rosa Zubizarreta via OSList]

Hi Daniel,

Yes, this is a key piece... I see it as very similar in some ways to what
Ken Wilber wrote later,
about the "shadow side of the green meme". (Each meme has its own shadow,
as well as its own gift...)

So, I love "green". I love circles, I love non-hierarchy, etc.
And, part of the "shadow side of the green meme" is how ideologically
anti-structure it can become...
to the point where some people may not even agree that OST does, in fact,
offer a very simple and effective structure.

By way contrast, think of a situation where group of people (who don't know
about OST, and/or, who are having a power struggle around "which process to
use", and/or....  ) might easily spending a whole weekend arguing *about *"how
to self-organize ourselves"... with a great deal more pain and frustration
and a great deal less value.

whereas, instead, IF someone knows about OST, and, a clear invitation has
been extended, and, there is enough trust/suspension of disbelief so that
participants are willing to enter into that format,

then, we end up with a very simple and elegant structure that allows people
to self-organize beautifully....

at least that's how i see it! :-)

with all best wishes,

Rosa





*Rosa Zubizarreta*



*Developing Participatory and Co-intelligent LeadershipAuthor of From
Conflict to Creative Collaboration <http://www.conflict2creativity.com>*

*For more resources and learning opportunities, visit**www.DiaPraxis.com
<http://www.DiaPraxis.com>*

On Sat, Oct 3, 2015 at 9:26 AM, Daniel Mezick via OSList <
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> THE TYRANNY of STRUCTURELESSNESS
> by Jo Freeman aka Joreen
>
> I find this essay extremely interesting. I hope you do, too.
>
>
>
> Here is a pertinent quote, from the essay:
> "...
>
> *the idea of "structurelessness" does not prevent the formation of
> informal structures, only formal ones." *
> Circa 1970. Context: the women's movement. Quick summary of the main
> points: from the essay...
>
>
>    - *During the years in which the women's liberation movement has been
>    taking shape, a great emphasis has been placed on what are called
>    leaderless, structureless groups as the main -- if not sole --
>    organizational form of the movement. *
>
>
>    - *The idea of "structurelessness," however, has moved from a healthy
>    counter to those tendencies, to becoming a goddess in its own right.*
>
>
>    - *Contrary to what we would like to believe, there is no such thing
>    as a structureless group. *
>
>
>    - *This means that to strive for a structureless group is as useful,
>    and as deceptive, as to aim at an "objective" news story, "value-free"
>    social science, or a "free" economy. A "laissez faire" group is about as
>    realistic as a "laissez faire" society; the idea becomes a smokescreen for
>    the strong or the lucky to establish unquestioned hegemony over others. *
>
>
>    - * This hegemony can be so easily established because the idea of
>    "structurelessness" does not prevent the formation of informal structures,
>    only formal ones. *
>
>
>    - * For everyone to have the opportunity to be involved in a given
>    group and to participate in its activities, the structure must be explicit,
>    not implicit. *
>
>
>    - * It is this informal structure, particularly in Unstructured
>    groups, which forms the basis for elites.*
>
>
>
> Just in case you have not yet encountered the full text of this essay,
> here it is:
>
> THE TYRANNY of STRUCTURELESSNESS
> by Jo Freeman aka Joreen
> http://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm
>
>
>
> Regards,
> Daniel
> http://www.OpenSpaceAgility.com/about
> http://www.DanielMezick.com
> 203 915 7248
>
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