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In London last week Phelim formally introduced a new animal to add
to our familiar butterflies and bumblebees. As noted in an earlier
post, Phelim called it the Fly.<br>
<br>
There was a sketch of the Fly on the wall - an insect with huge
eyes, wings, and a camera. When Phelim introduced the creature on
one of the morning openings, the fellow with the large high quality
video camera came to demonstrate an aspect of "the Fly". When the
fly came close to Phelim, he shooed it away. And then soon it came
back. And he shooed it away again, repeating several times.<br>
<br>
Having video taped a number of sessions and events in Open Space
before - not with as excellent equipment - the Fly metaphor is
really resonating. We're like the proverbial "Fly on the Wall" that
provides access to events that others wish they could have seen. But
the Fly can also detract. Some people get annoyed. It hampers their
safety in being able to share. Sometimes people want to swat the Fly
so they can just be present in the moment.<br>
<br>
It felt like we had a professional "Fly" at WOSonOS 2012, and I look
forward to some of the sweet stuff he captured after it gets
digested.<br>
<br>
But it also seems like the Fly is not a new animal at Open Space
Technology events. In some ways, "The Fly" is part of the
documentation story, not just for video but even for notes,
drawings, audio recordings, and photos. Even written notes help
those not present to be "the fly on the wall", yet it can be
annoying to be quoted, or even to be the notes taker. Phelim even
warned folks that the notes are visible to the whole world - so be
sensitive to what you share!<br>
<br>
I'm thinking of adding the Fly to our crew of insects to help
remember some aspects that come up especially for videographers as
they record and document. The metaphor empowers the participants to
have a dialog with the recorders, empowers them to shoo away the
flies, and prepares the flies that they may indeed be invited to
stop recording in a light and fun way. <br>
<br>
Does this metaphor fit? Is there a better one?<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Harold Shinsato<br>
<a href="mailto:harold@shinsato.com">harold@shinsato.com</a><br>
<a href="http://shinsato.com">http://shinsato.com</a><br>
twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/hajush">@hajush</a></div>
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