<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Hi Daniel,<br><br></div>Yes, this is a key piece... I see it as very similar in some ways to what Ken Wilber wrote later, <br></div>about the "shadow side of the green meme". (Each meme has its own shadow, as well as its own gift...)<br><br></div>So, I love "green". I love circles, I love non-hierarchy, etc. <br>And, part of the "shadow side of the green meme" is how ideologically anti-structure it can become... <br></div>to the point where some people may not even agree that OST does, in fact, offer a very simple and effective structure.<br><br></div>By way contrast, think of a situation where group of people (who don't know about OST, and/or, who are having a power struggle around "which process to use", and/or.... ) might easily spending a whole weekend arguing <i>about </i>"how to self-organize ourselves"... with a great deal more pain and frustration and a great deal less value.<br><br></div>whereas, instead, IF someone knows about OST, and, a clear invitation has been extended, and, there is enough trust/suspension of disbelief so that participants are willing to enter into that format, <br><br>then, we end up with a very simple and elegant structure that allows people to self-organize beautifully.... <br><br></div>at least that's how i see it! :-)<br><br></div>with all best wishes,<br><br></div>Rosa<br><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br><br><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><i><b>Rosa Zubizarreta</b><br></i></div><div><i><span></span></i><i><span><i><span><i>Developing Participatory and Co-intelligent Leadership<br></i></span>Author of <a href="http://www.conflict2creativity.com" target="_blank"><b>From Conflict to Creative Collaboration</b></a><br></i></span><br></i></div><i><span>For more resources and learning opportunities</span>, visit<br></i><span><span><i><b><a href="http://www.DiaPraxis.com" target="_blank">www.DiaPraxis.com</a></b></i></span></span></div></div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Oct 3, 2015 at 9:26 AM, Daniel Mezick via OSList <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org" target="_blank">oslist@lists.openspacetech.org</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
THE TYRANNY of STRUCTURELESSNESS<br>
by Jo Freeman aka Joreen<br>
<br>
I find this essay extremely interesting. I hope you do, too. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Here is a pertinent quote, from the essay:<br>
"...<i><big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif" size="2"><big><font face="Verdana, Arial,
Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><big>the idea of
"structurelessness" does not prevent the formation of
informal structures, only formal ones.<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">"<br>
<br>
</font></big></font></big></font></big></i> <br>
Circa 1970. Context: the women's movement. Quick summary of the main
points: from the essay...<br>
<br>
<ul>
<li><i><big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif" size="2"><big>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. </big></font></big></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif" size="2"><big>The idea of "structurelessness," however,
has moved from a healthy counter to those tendencies, to
becoming a goddess in its own right.</big></font></big></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif" size="2"><big>Contrary to what we would like to
believe, there is no such thing as a structureless
group. </big></font></big></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif" size="2"><big>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. </big></font></big></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif" size="2"> <big><font face="Verdana, Arial,
Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><big>This hegemony can be so
easily established because the idea of
"structurelessness" does not prevent the formation
of informal structures, only formal ones. </big></font></big></font></big></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif" size="2"><big><font face="Verdana, Arial,
Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> <big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><big>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. </big></font></big></font></big></font></big></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><big><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif" size="2"> <big><font face="Verdana, Arial,
Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"><big> It is this informal
structure, particularly in Unstructured groups,
which forms the basis for elites.</big></font></big></font></big></i></li>
</ul>
<br>
<br>
Just in case you have not yet encountered the full text of this
essay, here it is: <br>
<br>
THE TYRANNY of STRUCTURELESSNESS<br>
by Jo Freeman aka Joreen<br>
<a href="http://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm" target="_blank">http://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Daniel <br>
<a href="http://www.OpenSpaceAgility.com/about" target="_blank">http://www.OpenSpaceAgility.com/about</a><br>
<a href="http://www.DanielMezick.com" target="_blank">http://www.DanielMezick.com</a><br>
<a href="tel:203%20915%207248" value="+12039157248" target="_blank">203 915 7248</a><br>
</div>
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