[OSList] Now What?

Wed Jan 25 05:40:05 PST 2017

Very well done! Thanks!

Harrison

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From: OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Scott Gassman via OSList
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 8:44 PM
To: Harrison Owen; World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: Re: [OSList] Now What?

Thanks Harrison,

I enjoyed reading your piece on "Now What." Thanks.

i am sharing with you my son Benjamin's piece on the election.

http://brooklynrail.org/2016/12/theater/letter-from-queens-reflections-on-a-homegrown-disruption

Best to you,

Scott

On Tue, Jan 24, 2017 at 5:09 PM, Harrison Owen via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

Now What ....

In the space/time after the Inauguration when all the marchers have left town, The Question remains. Now what?

Presumably, The Donald and friends will get on with the business of doing what they promised. And it seems that in spite of an embarrassing first several days, they are hard at work. Doubtless others are working equally hard in opposite directions. Some day we will find out the final result which could range from Planetary Disaster to American Triumph (as in Great Again!). Either is possible, neither is probable – and assuming that we are still here to pose the question: What Next?

It might seem that I am treating the Trump Years as a trivial interlude. Truthfully, when considered in the context of the evolution of the species, that’s exactly what it is. Trivial. But somehow significant. Trump is but a blip in the flow of human history – however his significance lies in the fact that he represents one more symptom of the ending of our familiar world order. 

We in the USA, to which I might add Western Europe, much of Asia (including Australia and New Zealand), Southern Africa, and most of South America – have lived in a blessed time. Not without the occasional natural disaster, shootings, civil disturbances, or whatever. But it has been good. Folks in the Middle East and Central Africa will have a different view, but they are a painful, but distinct minority.

My children, and their children as well, have never fired a gun in anger, missed a meal, or wondered if they had a place to sleep... Always there. Maybe not what they wanted – but there. Called: The Parents.

Charlie Kenny, writing in The Atlantic (12/18/2015) said, “The world is better-educated, better fed, healthier, and more tolerant – and it looks set to get richer, too.” Yet The Donald Says: “The American Carnage ends here.” – With his inauguration. The implication is simple. Disaster is immanent and He is the Savior! But from what? If Kenny is right, it looks like we are in pretty good shape. Lots of problems for sure, but definitely headed in the right direction.

It might surprise you to learn that I am more in agreement with The Donald than you might suspect. But my reasons would not be his, and any solution I can see would not include The Donald as Savior. I believe we as a species are truly at a Transformational Moment in which the world order as we have known it for the past 75 years or so is dissolving. The institutions, processes, world views, ideologies that we have lived by, with, and in -- are no longer sufficient for our needs. And. Useful alternatives are not visible – and that would include, The Donald.

Such a view may appear extreme but it is not mine alone. David Ignatius, writing in the Washington Post (Jan 20, 2017), titles his effort , The world order is cracking up. He says: “Donald Trump’s inauguration marks a global inflection point: He takes office at a moment when many analysts see a transition to a new economic and political order — one where the risks for the United States and its allies are likely to increase.” 

Personally, I doubt that the sky will fall tomorrow. However,  I am certain that whatever we may have taken to be “normal” will never be seen again. 

This Transformative Moment may be unique in its qualities, but such moments are by no means unique in human history. The people of Israel found their world torn apart in 400 BCE (The so called, Babylonian Captivity). It was a time of fear and terror. It was also a time of massive creativity and renewal as chronicled, and perhaps led by, such brilliant folks as the Prophet Isaiah (2nd Isaiah). The Renaissance, The Industrial Revolution –  created havoc and innovation in the West, and similar Transformative Moments have marked the lives of all peoples on The Planet. I do believe we are at such a moment, one more time. 

Once again, The Question – Now What? 

In all honesty, I don’t know. However, I think Albert Einstein may assist our wayfinding with the thought, “Problems cannot be solved with the same mindset that created them.” We cannot simply do more and better of what we’ve always done and expect to arrive at a different outcome. 

This really is Open Space –  in the best and deepest sense of the words. Nothing here and everything possible. At once terrifying and verging on ecstasy. But where to start? 

I rather feel that our common experience of opening space together may give us some clues. Hardly the Answer, but maybe the beginning. I wish you well on the journey, which you will take whether you wish to or not. Frankly, I can’t think of anything more exciting!

Harrison

Winter Address

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

301-365-2093

Summer Address

189 Beaucauire Ave

Camden, ME 04843

207 763-3261

Websites

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com

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-- 

Scott Gassman
IdeaJuice
(917) 951 - 0258
scott.gassman at gmail.com

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