[OSList] The Tyranny of Structurelessness

[Suzanne Daigle via OSList]

Could it be that the structure we need shows up as we need it and
disappears as quickly as it appeared once it has done its thing or when it
has outlived it usefulness?  I value structure in my life though if I focus
on it too much, it does often feel that it becomes a close cousin to those
dreaded words that too often rule my life: control, security and
predictability. And unfortunately then it then crowds out the best of life:
love, connection, hope, promise, gratitude and much more.

Does trust in the process or structure equate to structurelessness? Or is
it more about how much emphasis we place on it before we "act" an "be".

Probably what I love about the 5 OS principles and especially these 2, is
that it keeps me connected and reminds me to let go a bit as it relates to
structure and stuff.

Whatever happens is the right thing
Whoever comes is the right person.

Anyway this is what is coming out of my Mickey Mouse brain tonight (live in
Florida you see), with great affection and a bit of fun to add to the mix
of this discourse.!

Suzanne

Suzanne Daigle
Open Space Facilitator
NuFocus Strategic Group

FL 941-359-8877
Cell: 203-722-2009
www.nufocusgroup.com
s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com
Twitter @Daiglesuz


On Sat, Oct 3, 2015 at 2:40 PM, Harrison Owen via OSList <
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
> *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
>
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