<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><o:SmartTagType
namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="country-region"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="City"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PersonName"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Batang;
panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"\@Batang";
panose-1:2 3 6 0 0 1 1 1 1 1;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
@page Section1
{size:595.3pt 841.9pt;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The words of the good Lesley-Anne reminded
me of the words from another remarkable lady, Peera Chorodov. Peera was the
senior advisor to the Israeli Foreign Minister and participated in the gathering
of 50 Palestinians and Israelis that I was privileged to work with in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:City> several years ago. Those
who have heard the story which I have told many times, will know that this was
not a gathering of “Peaceniks”, indeed a number of the central
antagonists in that ongoing situation were seated in the circle. Some days
after the event, Peera wrote me as follows: </span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>“The visual memory etched in my mind: smiling people,
embracing, even kissing, a certain sense of intimacy in the “Open Space.”
I pray that we shall be able to safeguard this initial start, and succeed in
imparting it to more and more people.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Peera had experienced Open Space and was frank
to admit that at the start she thought it was pretty ridiculous and bound for
failure. So her’s are the words of a turned skeptic. It would be rather
fun to imagine a conversation between the two women. Peera might tell
Lesley-Anne that what she experienced need not be a one time, lucky occurrence.
Just open some space and it could be a regular thing.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Harrison</span></font></st1:place><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Alan Stewart<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, July 15, 2007 11:36
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: hierarchy and things</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Dear Brian and All</span></font><font
size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>This is for those who are
interested in matters of hierarchies and for you, a dweller in one
:-). My 'noticing' it is a nice example of 'whatever happens ...' in
everyday life. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>When 'half' listening recently
to an item broadcast on BBC World Service radio I was taken with two
elements; the great clarity with which the person spoke and her accent. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>And so I googled to
discover that she:</span></font><font color=black><span lang=EN-GB
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>. is Lesley-Anne Knight,
newly appointed <a
href="http://www.caritas.org/jumpNews.asp?idLang=ENG&idUser=0&idChannel=109&idNews=5123"><font
color="#810081"><span style='color:#810081'>Secretary General of Caritas
Internationalis</span></font></a> which could be considered to be
integral to a hierarchical system ... </span></font><font color=black><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>. was born in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Zimbabwe</st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region>,
the country that I come from. </span></font><font color=black><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>From this search
I found this lovely 'bonus': </span></font><font color=black><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Lesley-Anne recognises the
wonder and beauty of being in Open Space. At least this is my interpretation
from seeing these comments in her <a
href="http://www.caritas.org/jumpNews.asp?idLang=ENG&idChannel=1444&idUser=0&idNews=5131"><font
color="#810081"><span style='color:#810081'>inaugural speech</span></font></a>. </span></font><font
color=black><span lang=EN-GB style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=blue
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:blue'>"...
As this General Assembly draw to a close, I would like to reflect briefly on
one of the lasting impressions I shall take away with me – and that is
how we have shown so successfully this week the capacity for dialogue to create
unity among diversity. At coffee breaks, meal times, in the corridors, there
has been a real buzz of reaching out and engaging. Through conversation we
build a world of shared significance – through the process of listening
to another, sharing another perspective, we build trust and mutual respect. We
don’t necessarily have to agree, but when we are willing to listen to one
another, when we listen with the ear of our hearts, we often discover
those universal values that unite us in our diversity. This offers us a vision
of hope for what might be achieved if we could only reproduce this in the wider
world. Through dialogue we recognise the love that makes us one humanity; we
become ‘witnesses of charity’. And that recognition is the foundation
upon which we can build peace ..."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=blue
face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>It
seems to me that this resonates with your yearning as expressed in your
posting? (below)</span></font><font color=black><span lang=EN-GB
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>For bringing
OST to the attention * of people such as Lesley-Anne Knight - and myriad others
who have <br>
had similar experiencing - could help them to do what they also yearn
for: To reproduce such experiences in the wider world. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>I
wonder how this sounds to you? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><font
size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Go
well</span></font><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><font
size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>With
love</span></font><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><font
size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=4 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Alan
</span></font><font size=4 color=blue face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=4 color="#1a1a1a" face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1A1A1A'>* in the spirit as expressed by a
person whom I had the wonderful opportunity to meet twice (the second was at
his home on Rattlesnake Hill, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Pescadero</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:place></st1:State></st1:place>,
shortly before he died). <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=4 color="#555555" face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#555555;font-style:italic'>Take it or
leave it.</span></font></i><font size=4 color="#1a1a1a"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1A1A1A'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=4 color="#555555" face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#555555;font-style:italic'>I don't
want to sell anything to anyone.</span></font></i><font size=4 color="#1a1a1a"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#1A1A1A'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=4 color="#555555" face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#555555;font-style:italic'>I don't
want to persuade any human being.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=4 color="#555555" face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#555555;font-style:italic'>I only want
to draw attention.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=4 color="#555555" face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#555555;font-style:italic'>The only thing
I want is to draw attention.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=4 color="#555555" face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#555555;font-style:italic'>
~ Heinz von Foerster<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 3.0pt;
margin-left:2.5pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div style='font-color:black'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:briansb@mira.net" title="briansb@mira.net">Brian S Bainbridge</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU"
title="OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Sunday, July 15, 2007 8:49 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Re: hierarchy and things<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Responding to Chris
Corrigan’s insighting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Chris<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As a person who –
perhaps as much as any other Open Space character – lives within a
dominantly hierarchic system, I have very little personal interest in the
matter of hierarchies, except to note that they “are there” in some
fashion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>What I am excited about
in your letter is the last paragraph – talking about seeing “the
larger implications for organizing human endeavours” , the
“incredibly inspired thinking”, the “broad implications for
the way things are organized”, and the “crux of the next level of investigations
into what all these methodologies mean”.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>For me personally, this
is why I have kept going to the OSonOS gatherings, hoping that – as I
said recently to Michael Pannwitz Jnr, - there might be the emergence of some
impacting and effective discussion and prospective exploration relating to
these very aspects of our work.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>For more years than I can
remember, these are the real goals and dreams of why I open space, every time.
And, with so many other wonderful people in this network, I know an immense
amount of change and growth and development and success has been achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>To share the insighting,
to help it happen more widely yet, to encourage “newbies” to start
to think in these terms, to work up themes which stimulate such results, and to
learn from so many other more experienced people than I how to help these
things happen better – that, for me, is what an OSonOS is primarily
about. That this goal is perhaps seldom achieved (IMHO at least) only means it
is more important yet to continue trying to help it happen, whatever of the immense
personal expense and inconvenience and long- distance travel and so on.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>All praise to you –
again – Chris, for getting this very aspect into words – for me at
least. The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Camden</st1:City></st1:place>
gathering could be very special, perhaps. That’s my prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Ta!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Cheers and blessings,
BRIAN<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Fr Brian S. Bainbridge<br>
0412 111 525</span></font><font color=navy><span lang=EN-AU style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Skype: briansbain</span></font><span
lang=EN-AU><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Chris Corrigan<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, 15 July 2007 9:30 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: hierarchy...was
report from the field</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt'>Within the Art
of Hosting community of practice, we have been looking at a fifth
organizational paradigm, which is something like a combination of hierarchy,
circle, network and bureaucracy. Some of us have been looking at what
these four paradigms have to offer, for examples, hierarchy offers order and
clarity, circle offers an equal reflective space, network offers an immediate
ability to connect with whatever is needed, and bureaucracy helps channel
resources where they are needed, "irrigating" initiatives or parts of
an organization. <br>
<br>
Certainly, each of these has a dark side, but if the benefits are illuminated
and then transcended, you get a fifth organizational paradigm in which all four
can be somehow present and somehow something new is born. I think we are
increasingly seeing Open Space meetings as the embodiments of this fifth form,
which has gone by many other names among those of us here on the list:
InterActive Organization, Conscious Open Space Organization, Inviting
Organization, Radiant Networking and so on. There is something in the
pattern of Open Space that, if it has not yet achieved transcendence of these
four forms, at least leads the eye to what might emerge.
Self-organization is clearly the key, or at least the gas in the engine. <br>
<br>
I find it interesting that many of us who are devoted to these models of
dialogic practice can. <br>
<br>
Great thread.<br>
<br>
Chris<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmailquote><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt'>On 7/15/07, <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>Harrison Owen</span></b> <<a href="mailto:hhowen@verizon.net">hhowen@verizon.net</a>>
wrote:</span></font></span><span lang=EN-AU><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Raffi -- You will notice that I very carefully did not
use the word<br>
"hierarchy," but a quite different word -- "elitism." I am
not sure that is<br>
the right word either, but that is the problem with words. Indeed, hierarchy <br>
itself (as you point out) is not a bad thing. Quite natural in fact and very<br>
useful. Heirarchy is a problem, however, when it is frozen and stuck. At<br>
that point it becomes an "old" hierarchy reflective of a different
time <br>
and/or situation, holding power and authority very much in the fashion of<br>
the Divine Right of Kings. That is what I would call elitism. The real<br>
problem is that it is non-functional because it limits the capacity of a <br>
system to adapt to a changing environment. This of course can go on for a<br>
long time, and indeed some environments stick around for a bit. But at the<br>
moment a stable environment seems to be more the exception than the rule. So <br>
Heirarchy, Yes. Elitism, No.<br>
<br>
In terms of our community of folks -- to be sure there is hierarchy, in fact<br>
there are multiple hierarchies constantly changing with time and tide, and<br>
many existing simultaneously in a wonderful dance of conflict and <br>
collaboration. I think that is fantastic, useful, and something to be<br>
honored. However, if we ever got to the point where there was one,<br>
unchanging hierarchy that would be the last moment you would be seeing me<br>
anywhere on the premises -- even if, and most especially if, I was the King<br>
of the heap!<br>
<br>
I think Kaliya is absolutely correct in pointing out the utility of a<br>
"repetitional meritocratic hierarchy" (WOW! -- the words sort of roll
off <br>
the tongue!!). And if I understand the words at all, I think that is pretty<br>
much what "we" are. I would also agree that experience, training,
maturity<br>
are critical -- in Open Space, as everywhere else. But I would take some <br>
issue with the notion that, "Open Space Technology is fundamentally<br>
different then these two community practices -- OST is not trying to build<br>
an operating system or have 100,000 all collaborate on the same thing - it <br>
doesn't 'need' the kind of hierarchy that technical communities do."<br>
<br>
>From where I sit, the adventure we have embarked on is actually larger and<br>
more complex than the "simple business" of creating an operating
system. Our <br>
task (or at least the one I choose for myself) is not so much about<br>
designing a system but rather the appreciation of the infinite complexity<br>
and elegance of the self-organizing Human System. And this is not just <br>
"music appreciation," performance is the name of the game. How do we<br>
effectively live in this system, and maybe even more importantly, what can<br>
we do to enable the system to live?<br>
<br>
I think of Open Space as a wonderful natural experiment in which thousands <br>
of people are participating. The power of the experiment emerges when we<br>
freely and openly share our experiences and understandings. And everybody<br>
has a vital part to play. Those of us who have been around for a bit may <br>
have a broader and possibly deeper view, but there is an almost inevitable<br>
tendency to take some things for granted and get stuck in our ways. The<br>
antidote for all of that is the arrival of fresh eyes with apparently
"dumb <br>
questions." There are no dumb questions that are also real questions. Real<br>
questions have no answers, they only open more space and take you deeper.<br>
And when you have lots of space (up, down, sideways, wherever)-- then the <br>
fun begins.<br>
<br>
<st1:place w:st="on">Harrison</st1:place><br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<a
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a>]
On Behalf Of Raffi<br>
Aftandelian<br>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 2:08 PM <br>
To: <a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
Subject: hierarchy...was report from the field<br>
<br>
Greetings friends and colleagues--<br>
<br>
<st1:place w:st="on">Harrison</st1:place> you wrote:<br>
<br>
"The other day I got a note which said in part, "I was surprised to <br>
find out that there was a hierarchy in the OST community and everyone having<br>
a specific place to hold, voices are not equal and politics prevails in<br>
certain circuits Just the same old same old... I'm not sure this is
what <br>
you envisioned with OST." I have no idea what the specific circumstances<br>
were, and less interest in finding out. But presuming that we have the<br>
creeping tentacles of elitism sneaking in - a good dose of the Law of Two <br>
Feet and a clear recognition of the Universal License of Open Space<br>
(everybody has one by birth) should do the trick. Or something."<br>
<br>
I would love to hear more from the person who wrote about hierarchy in the <br>
OST community. What is meant by "hierarchy" here?<br>
<br>
Isn't there hierarchy everywhere? Is it a bad thing? The question is what<br>
kind of hierarchy do we have in the OST community? Is it a hierarchy that <br>
feeds us, strengthens us? And how do we choose to engage with it as a<br>
community? Do we create the spaces to talk about the power differentials<br>
within our practitioner community in a way that, well, builds more capacity <br>
within us?<br>
<br>
Quakers, for example, acknowledge that voices are not equal within the life<br>
of a Monthly Meeting. They have the concept of "weightiness" or a
"weighty<br>
Friend." In other words, these are the elders within the Quaker
world. <br>
<br>
And doesn't the OST world have its elders and sages?<br>
<br>
I, too, have heard (and thought) that the OST community is the "same<br>
old...," - heck, some of that "same oldness" shows up on the
list from time <br>
to time- *and* I do not know of a more generous, welcoming, inspiring<br>
facilitation community. We either choose to engage with the OST community as<br>
it is, or...well exercise the law of two feet.<br>
<br>
<br>
Raffi<br>
<br>
*<br>
*<br>
==========================================================<br>
<a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
------------------------------<br>
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, <br>
view the archives of <a href="mailto:oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu">oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu</a>:<br>
<a href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html">http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
</a><br>
<br>
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>
FAQs:<br>
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist">http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist</a><br>
<br>
*<br>
*<br>
========================================================== <br>
<a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
------------------------------<br>
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,<br>
view the archives of <a href="mailto:oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu">oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu</a>:<br>
<a href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html">http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</a><br>
<br>
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>
FAQs:<br>
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist">http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
<br clear=all>
<br>
-- <br>
CHRIS CORRIGAN<br>
Facilitation - Training<br>
Open Space Technology<br>
<br>
Weblog: <a href="http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot">http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot</a><br>
Site: <a href="http://www.chriscorrigan.com/">http://www.chriscorrigan.com</a><br>
<br>
Principal, Harvest Moon Consultants, Ltd.<br>
<a href="http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com/">http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com</a>
* * ========================================================== <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
OpenSpaceEmailLists and <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>* *
========================================================== <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
OpenSpaceEmailLists and <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</blockquote>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>No virus found in this incoming message.<br>
Checked by AVG Free Edition. <br>
Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.6/902 - Release Date: 7/15/2007 2:21
PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>No virus found in this incoming message.<br>
Checked by AVG Free Edition. <br>
Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.6/902 - Release Date: 7/15/2007 2:21
PM</span></font><span lang=EN-AU><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'>----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 3.0pt;
margin-left:2.5pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div style='font-color:black'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:briansb@mira.net" title="briansb@mira.net">Brian S Bainbridge</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU"
title="OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Sunday, July 15, 2007 8:49 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
Re: hierarchy and things<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Responding to Chris
Corrigan’s insighting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Chris<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As a person who –
perhaps as much as any other Open Space character – lives within a
dominantly hierarchic system, I have very little personal interest in the
matter of hierarchies, except to note that they “are there” in some
fashion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>What I am excited about
in your letter is the last paragraph – talking about seeing “the
larger implications for organizing human endeavours” , the
“incredibly inspired thinking”, the “broad implications for
the way things are organized”, and the “crux of the next level of
investigations into what all these methodologies mean”.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>For me personally, this
is why I have kept going to the OSonOS gatherings, hoping that – as I
said recently to Michael Pannwitz Jnr, - there might be the emergence of some
impacting and effective discussion and prospective exploration relating to these
very aspects of our work.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>For more years than I can
remember, these are the real goals and dreams of why I open space, every time.
And, with so many other wonderful people in this network, I know an immense
amount of change and growth and development and success has been achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>To share the insighting,
to help it happen more widely yet, to encourage “newbies” to start
to think in these terms, to work up themes which stimulate such results, and to
learn from so many other more experienced people than I how to help these
things happen better – that, for me, is what an OSonOS is primarily
about. That this goal is perhaps seldom achieved (IMHO at least) only means it
is more important yet to continue trying to help it happen, whatever of the
immense personal expense and inconvenience and long- distance travel and so on.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>All praise to you –
again – Chris, for getting this very aspect into words – for me at
least. The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Camden</st1:City></st1:place>
gathering could be very special, perhaps. That’s my prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Ta!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Cheers and
blessings, BRIAN<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Fr Brian S. Bainbridge<br>
0412 111 525</span></font><font color=navy><span lang=EN-AU style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Skype: briansbain</span></font><span
lang=EN-AU><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabIndex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Chris Corrigan<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, 15 July 2007 9:30 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: hierarchy...was
report from the field</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt'>Within the Art
of Hosting community of practice, we have been looking at a fifth
organizational paradigm, which is something like a combination of hierarchy,
circle, network and bureaucracy. Some of us have been looking at what
these four paradigms have to offer, for examples, hierarchy offers order and
clarity, circle offers an equal reflective space, network offers an immediate
ability to connect with whatever is needed, and bureaucracy helps channel
resources where they are needed, "irrigating" initiatives or parts of
an organization. <br>
<br>
Certainly, each of these has a dark side, but if the benefits are illuminated
and then transcended, you get a fifth organizational paradigm in which all four
can be somehow present and somehow something new is born. I think we are
increasingly seeing Open Space meetings as the embodiments of this fifth form,
which has gone by many other names among those of us here on the list:
InterActive Organization, Conscious Open Space Organization, Inviting Organization,
Radiant Networking and so on. There is something in the pattern of Open
Space that, if it has not yet achieved transcendence of these four forms, at
least leads the eye to what might emerge. Self-organization is clearly
the key, or at least the gas in the engine. <br>
<br>
I find it interesting that many of us who are devoted to these models of
dialogic practice can. <br>
<br>
Great thread.<br>
<br>
Chris<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmailquote><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt'>On 7/15/07, <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>Harrison Owen</span></b> <<a href="mailto:hhowen@verizon.net">hhowen@verizon.net</a>>
wrote:</span></font></span><span lang=EN-AU><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Raffi -- You will notice that I very carefully did not
use the word<br>
"hierarchy," but a quite different word -- "elitism." I am
not sure that is<br>
the right word either, but that is the problem with words. Indeed, hierarchy <br>
itself (as you point out) is not a bad thing. Quite natural in fact and very<br>
useful. Heirarchy is a problem, however, when it is frozen and stuck. At<br>
that point it becomes an "old" hierarchy reflective of a different
time <br>
and/or situation, holding power and authority very much in the fashion of<br>
the Divine Right of Kings. That is what I would call elitism. The real<br>
problem is that it is non-functional because it limits the capacity of a <br>
system to adapt to a changing environment. This of course can go on for a<br>
long time, and indeed some environments stick around for a bit. But at the<br>
moment a stable environment seems to be more the exception than the rule. So <br>
Heirarchy, Yes. Elitism, No.<br>
<br>
In terms of our community of folks -- to be sure there is hierarchy, in fact<br>
there are multiple hierarchies constantly changing with time and tide, and<br>
many existing simultaneously in a wonderful dance of conflict and <br>
collaboration. I think that is fantastic, useful, and something to be<br>
honored. However, if we ever got to the point where there was one,<br>
unchanging hierarchy that would be the last moment you would be seeing me<br>
anywhere on the premises -- even if, and most especially if, I was the King<br>
of the heap!<br>
<br>
I think Kaliya is absolutely correct in pointing out the utility of a<br>
"repetitional meritocratic hierarchy" (WOW! -- the words sort of roll
off <br>
the tongue!!). And if I understand the words at all, I think that is pretty<br>
much what "we" are. I would also agree that experience, training,
maturity<br>
are critical -- in Open Space, as everywhere else. But I would take some <br>
issue with the notion that, "Open Space Technology is fundamentally<br>
different then these two community practices -- OST is not trying to build<br>
an operating system or have 100,000 all collaborate on the same thing - it <br>
doesn't 'need' the kind of hierarchy that technical communities do."<br>
<br>
>From where I sit, the adventure we have embarked on is actually larger and<br>
more complex than the "simple business" of creating an operating
system. Our <br>
task (or at least the one I choose for myself) is not so much about<br>
designing a system but rather the appreciation of the infinite complexity<br>
and elegance of the self-organizing Human System. And this is not just <br>
"music appreciation," performance is the name of the game. How do we<br>
effectively live in this system, and maybe even more importantly, what can<br>
we do to enable the system to live?<br>
<br>
I think of Open Space as a wonderful natural experiment in which thousands <br>
of people are participating. The power of the experiment emerges when we<br>
freely and openly share our experiences and understandings. And everybody<br>
has a vital part to play. Those of us who have been around for a bit may <br>
have a broader and possibly deeper view, but there is an almost inevitable<br>
tendency to take some things for granted and get stuck in our ways. The<br>
antidote for all of that is the arrival of fresh eyes with apparently
"dumb <br>
questions." There are no dumb questions that are also real questions. Real<br>
questions have no answers, they only open more space and take you deeper.<br>
And when you have lots of space (up, down, sideways, wherever)-- then the <br>
fun begins.<br>
<br>
<st1:place w:st="on">Harrison</st1:place><br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<a
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a>]
On Behalf Of Raffi<br>
Aftandelian<br>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 2:08 PM <br>
To: <a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
Subject: hierarchy...was report from the field<br>
<br>
Greetings friends and colleagues--<br>
<br>
<st1:place w:st="on">Harrison</st1:place> you wrote:<br>
<br>
"The other day I got a note which said in part, "I was surprised to <br>
find out that there was a hierarchy in the OST community and everyone having<br>
a specific place to hold, voices are not equal and politics prevails in<br>
certain circuits Just the same old same old... I'm not sure this is
what <br>
you envisioned with OST." I have no idea what the specific circumstances<br>
were, and less interest in finding out. But presuming that we have the<br>
creeping tentacles of elitism sneaking in - a good dose of the Law of Two <br>
Feet and a clear recognition of the Universal License of Open Space<br>
(everybody has one by birth) should do the trick. Or something."<br>
<br>
I would love to hear more from the person who wrote about hierarchy in the <br>
OST community. What is meant by "hierarchy" here?<br>
<br>
Isn't there hierarchy everywhere? Is it a bad thing? The question is what<br>
kind of hierarchy do we have in the OST community? Is it a hierarchy that <br>
feeds us, strengthens us? And how do we choose to engage with it as a<br>
community? Do we create the spaces to talk about the power differentials<br>
within our practitioner community in a way that, well, builds more capacity <br>
within us?<br>
<br>
Quakers, for example, acknowledge that voices are not equal within the life<br>
of a Monthly Meeting. They have the concept of "weightiness" or a
"weighty<br>
Friend." In other words, these are the elders within the Quaker
world. <br>
<br>
And doesn't the OST world have its elders and sages?<br>
<br>
I, too, have heard (and thought) that the OST community is the "same<br>
old...," - heck, some of that "same oldness" shows up on the
list from time <br>
to time- *and* I do not know of a more generous, welcoming, inspiring<br>
facilitation community. We either choose to engage with the OST community as<br>
it is, or...well exercise the law of two feet.<br>
<br>
<br>
Raffi<br>
<br>
*<br>
*<br>
==========================================================<br>
<a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
------------------------------<br>
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, <br>
view the archives of <a href="mailto:oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu">oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu</a>:<br>
<a href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html">http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
</a><br>
<br>
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>
FAQs:<br>
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist">http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist</a><br>
<br>
*<br>
*<br>
========================================================== <br>
<a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a><br>
------------------------------<br>
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,<br>
view the archives of <a href="mailto:oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu">oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu</a>:<br>
<a href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html">http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</a><br>
<br>
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>
FAQs:<br>
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist">http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
<br clear=all>
<br>
-- <br>
CHRIS CORRIGAN<br>
Facilitation - Training<br>
Open Space Technology<br>
<br>
Weblog: <a href="http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot">http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot</a><br>
Site: <a href="http://www.chriscorrigan.com">http://www.chriscorrigan.com</a><br>
<br>
Principal, Harvest Moon Consultants, Ltd.<br>
<a href="http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com">http://www.harvestmoonconsultants.com</a>
* * ========================================================== <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
OpenSpaceEmailLists and <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'>* *
========================================================== <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about
OpenSpaceEmailLists and <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</blockquote>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-AU
style='font-size:12.0pt'>No virus found in this incoming message.<br>
Checked by AVG Free Edition. <br>
Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.6/902 - Release Date: 7/15/2007 2:21
PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist