[OSList] The Tyranny of Structurelessness
Harold Shinsato via OSList
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Mon Oct 5 19:11:58 PDT 2015
Hi Suzanne!
Nice interpretation - and maybe Mickey Mouse deserves a bow here.
One of the things I love about our OS Hotline is the wisdom of Skye
Hirst, who frequently shows up there. She has a lot of experience inside
the work of Robert S. Hartman, and the hierarchy of values. Structure
fits in the hierarchy of values, but at a lower order of value. So
structure is great, but only if it's in service of the highest orders of
value - which are called "Intrinsic" in Hartman's system.
When we say "Open Space", it seems to work best as a place holder for
"Spirit", potentially another name for intrinsic values.
Open Space Technology is a structure in service to Open Space.
I'm kind of into how C. Otto Sharmer says it. Instead of "Form follows
function", he says "Form follows *attention*".
So as you say, Suzanne, structure can appear as we need it. And
sometimes, when we don't need it. Based on where we individually and
collectively focus our attention, or where our attention is stuck due to
the power of habit.
One thing I love most about Open Space Technology - even though it can
be a difficult role to play - it does authorize some space for those who
may have managed to get unstuck from a collective habitual structure.
They can hold a session by themselves, and still contribute to the
proceedings. And, voila, sometimes just that one person can start
attracting others out of a non-functioning structure. Or maybe even into
a new one.
Harold
On 10/5/15 5:24 PM, Suzanne Daigle via OSList wrote:
> 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 <http://www.nufocusgroup.com>
> s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com <mailto: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
> <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
> <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>
> *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>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
> <mailto:OSList at lists.openspacetech.org>
> To unsubscribe send an email to
> OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org
> <mailto: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
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
--
Harold Shinsato
harold at shinsato.com <mailto:harold at shinsato.com>
http://shinsato.com
twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/pipermail/oslist-openspacetech.org/attachments/20151005/3a822561/attachment-0002.htm>
More information about the OSList
mailing list