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At 11:58 AM 9/9/2003 +0200, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Hi<br><br>
Yeah, small world networks are definitely a big part of why Open
Space<br>
works. Actually it's a big part of why the world works :o)<br><br>
Mark Buchanan has written an excellent and highly readable book
called<br>
"Small world" on this very new and very promising science. I've
reviewed<br>
it here:
<a href="http://www.kjerulf.com/journal/00000214.htm" eudora="autourl">http://www.kjerulf.com/journal/00000214.htm</a>
.<br><br>
Obvious parallels between small world networks and open space gatherings<br>
include:<br>
* Small world networks are highly adaptable, yet very stable - as are<br>
Open Space gatherings<br>
* The structure in small worlds networks arises without central planning<br>
- as in OS<br>
* Bumblebees can be seen as "weak connections" between tightly knit<br>
groups - one of the main reasons that small world networks are tightly knit</blockquote><br>
Right on! Despite the fact that some folks think they actually organize networks, I think the truth of the matter is that they happen all by themselves in the way of all self-organizing systems. The critical point of initiation is the convergence of passion and responsibility -- somebody cares about something and takes responsibility to talk to others who might share the care. If the fire of passion ignites -- you have a network. If it fizzles and goes out in a puff of smoke, you don't -- and no amount of huffing and puffing will make any difference. Sounds a lot like Open Space to me. All of which relates, I guess, to Artur's thoughts about "essential conditions" . . . Chris put it neatly (although I am not so sure how elegant I was) "As for the conditions that make Open Space really hum, I go back to<br>
Harrison's elegantly stated four: passion, diversity, complexity and urgency. The more of each, the better the process works." I think it might work better if one were to say <i>passion/responsibility -- </i> but anyhow I find the same essential conditions apply to all useful networks. <br><br>
ho<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<div align="center">Harrison Owen<br>
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854 USA<br>
phone 301-365-2093 <br>
207-763-3261 (Summer)<br>
Open Space Training <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.com</a> <br>
Open Space Institute <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</a><br>
Personal website <a href="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF">http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm</a><br><br>
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