[OSList] The Tyranny of Structurelessness
Daniel Mezick via OSList
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Mon Oct 5 14:16:23 PDT 2015
Rosa,
Thanks for your thoughts on the essay, [The Tyranny of Structurelessness.]
You say:
"....offer clear ways for people to contribute, so that it's clear and
*_explicit_*, how people can become more involved, and thus gain greater
social currency in constructive ways."
The author of the essay says:
"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 appears you have studied similar material and know the topic, and
what you are talking about...
...except that bit about me being fearless at the end.
Because, I'm afraid that what you are calling "fearlessness" in me might
best be described as "foolishness."
Curioius Question: Does OSLIST constitute an "unstructured group?"
My Best Regards,
Daniel
On 10/5/15 4:10 PM, Rosa Zubizarreta wrote:
> Hi Daniel,
>
> The writing you shared may well challenge some of our assumptions --
> the word "structure" is at least as loaded in our culture as the word
> "power" or the word "leader" -- yet it does not, to my mind, challenge
> our practice of OST.
>
> Indeed, one of the great things about OST is that it's really clear
> how to be involved... you go up to the marketplace, announce your
> session, and post it. That is a very clear and explicit way of being
> involved, in my book...
>
> Now, when we extrapolate from OST gatherings, to talking about how
> organizations could or should, be structured or unstructured... that's
> a whole other ball of wax.
>
> I can't find the references right now, but there are a few other
> authors who also write very clearly and eloquently about the same
> phenomenon that is described in the Tyranny of Structurelessness. One
> is the pagan eco-activist organizer and writer Starhawk. She has
> worked for eons as part of radical social change activist groups who
> strive to be egalitarian, etc., so reading her thoughts about the
> inevitability of informal power arrangements arising in groups, and
> what to do about it, including clear and simple and helpful structures
> can help minimize it, was hugely valuable for me.
>
> Basically what she says is that people are always developing informal
> power hierarchies, based on charisma, or looks, or previous
> friendships, etc.... and that some of the best ways of working with
> that, include a) making it something that can be acknowledged and
> explored, rather than it being an "undiscussable" because we are
> "supposed to be an egalitaran group".... and b) to offer clear ways
> for people to contribute, so that it's clear and explicit, how people
> can become more involved, and thus gain greater social currency in
> constructive ways. (I am majorly paraphrasing here, with a quite rusty
> memory, so please don't take any of this too literally.)
>
> Sorry I can't give you references at the moment... my library is
> spread out over a few different households at present. But thank you
> for your own fearlessness in raising this topic.
>
> with all best wishes,
>
> Rosa
>
>
>
> /*Rosa Zubizarreta*
> /
> /////Developing Participatory and Co-intelligent Leadership
> /Author 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 Mon, Oct 5, 2015 at 1:09 PM, Daniel Mezick via OSList
> <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
> <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
>
> Greeting Marie, Anna, Dirk, Michael, Rosa, JL, Harrison (...did I
> miss anyone? sorry of I did) ...
>
> <DISCLAMER> I do like this essay. A lot. </DISCLAMER>
>
> Thanks for interacting around this provocative essay "The Tyranny
> of Structurelessness."
>
> The essay certainly does challenge some of our most cherished
> assumptions, doesn't it?
>
> The essay is issuing a clear and specific warning about tyranny
> developing in groups that value "structurelessness."
>
> I hold this as a (current) belief, about healthy groups:
> /"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. //"/
>
>
>
> Reiterating some of the key assertions (provocations?) in the
> essay, "The Tyranny of Structurelessness"...
>
> ....for a moment, let's pretend the following assertions by the
> author are true.
>
> Assuming these assertions **are** true, what are some of the
> implications ?
>
>
> * 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.
>
>
>
>
>
> On 10/5/15 12:38 PM, Marie Nelson via OSList wrote:
>> Interesting array of perspectives on structures. I sometimes distinguish between content structures (agendas, syllabi that function for command and control) and process structures (that liberate people/learners to interact at the point of choice).
>>
>> Marie
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: OSList<oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org>
>> <mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org> on behalf of via OSList<oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
>> <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, October 4, 2015 10:27 AM
>> To: Harrison Owen; World wide Open Space Technology email list
>> Subject: Re: [OSList] The Tyranny of Structurelessness
>>
>> Dear Daniel, thank you for sharing the synopsis of the essay. Sounds very valuable to me!
>>
>> Rosa, yes I am also a 'green' lover - but living with the assumption that I am pretty aware of the shadows...
>>
>> For me sitting in a circle is a structure. Starting with a break is another element of structure. Allowing participants to co-create the agenda is a structure. Etc.
>>
>> Harrison, I don't understand why you say structure is only a figment of our imagination.
>>
>> I believe structure is something very real - even if it's not always as tangible as the structure of a house - how we structure time, decision making, dialogue, sharing, connecting ... Coffee breaks, all pretty real stuff to me.
>>
>> I believe nobody is obliged to follow a given structure. But structure - if it's purposefully designed can enable people to enter into a state of flow with ease and joy.
>>
>> Of course structure is not the only reason why we experience flow, joy and ease in a meeting.
>>
>> Let's take the example of a tomato. The wooden structure that holds the tomato is not determining how the tomato grows, but if purposefully placed it can supports the tomato to grow.
>>
>> The tomato's purpose is not to follow the wooden structure, the tomato is growing, and the structure is an invitation to support the growth and development. The structure itself is not the flow. The structure can enable flow and healthy growth.
>>
>> I think there are several structural factors that can increase joy, ease and creativity to emerge. I'll name those that come to mind - inspired by the 'Deep Essence Tool' of the Genuine Contact program. Let me list those factors as questions that help me when I design meeting structures/ processes I facilitate:
>>
>> - is the purpose of the meeting/process clear?
>> - what are our values? Is the design of the meeting aligned with these values?
>> - what assumptions do I and my clients have? (Watch out - assumptions have a uber impact on the structure) I, you, a group, a leader have to be super clear and honest about our assumptions - huge shadow trap - not being clear honest about our assumptions when we create structure.
>> Now let's find and create a structure for our meeting, for our organization, our movement...
>> The more purpose, values, assumptions and structures are aligned, in order to create a life nurturing environment, the more the people have the opportunity to take leadership for inspired action.
>> Step by step a story unfolds that is characterized by people experimenting, sharing, trying, daring, learning ... Taking responsibility and leadership.
>>
>> Depending on my abilities, resources and assumptions, and consciousness/awareness I create structures as a facilitator. My wish is to design and facilitate meetings where people connect with their passion and take leadership. My aim is to be very clear why I create which structures and I do my best to stay open to learn from the group and adopt the structure to their needs if needed.
>>
>> I believe the purpose of the structure is to serve people, life and flow. Structure shall never be created in order to be obeyed by the people. But it may enable and empower people to step into their full potential and life force.
>>
>> We as OST community create a structure that continues to allow flow, learning, sharing, seeping our understanding: an international email list, language specific lists, wosonos, Stammtisch, Facebook group, online calls...
>>
>> I am grateful that this structure exists otherwise I could not learn from all your perspectives, insights, questions and sharing.
>>
>> much Love
>> Anna Caroline
>>
>>
>>
>> On 03 Oct 2015, at 20:40, Harrison Owen via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
>> <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org><mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
>> <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
>>
>> And just to churn the pot a bit.... open some space??? An off thought which has pestered me recently. Goes like this. "Structure is only a figment of our imagination. It is our "take" of reality, a flash frame of the passing scene. In our minds it looks solid, even unchanging. But actually it is just a momentary view of the ongoing flow." Or something.
>>
>> Harrison
>>
>> From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Daniel Mezick via OSList
>> Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2015 9:26 AM
>> To:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
>> <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org><mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
>> <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>
>> Subject: [OSList] The Tyranny of Structurelessness
>>
>> 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 <tel:203%20915%207248>
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>
> --
>
> 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.
>
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--
Daniel Mezick, President
New Technology Solutions Inc.
(203) 915 7248 (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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