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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Globalization</span></i></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>. For some people this word describes Opportunity. For others, Disaster. Both are correct, I believe. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Stripped to essence, Globalization means that the artificial (as in manmade) barriers and boundaries which divide our planet are dissolving, thereby revealing our natural, global unity. For better or for worse. Nation States, Business Enterprises, Tribal Territories, Religions, Cultures …. Are all becoming more porous, interconnected, and increasingly irrelevant to the emerging life form of <i>Homo sapiens</i> – otherwise known as Us, and the way we live.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Nobody planned Globalization, nobody runs it, although lots of folks are claiming credit or passing blame. The actual causes are multiple, including the Internet, global transportation, telephones, TV, FAX, the printing press, etc, etc… to name just a few. But the really funny part is -- Globalization is nothing new. We have always been one planet/globe – a fact the astronauts recognized with some wonder and shock. Seen from space, none of the barriers and boundaries, which seem so important to us, show up. They are all in our mind. You might think of Globalization as a psychosomatic healing! It might also be that we are simply getting back to normal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Disaster/Opportunity Reactions are real and important. When all of the defining characteristics of our world become fuzzy or invisible – it is incredibly hard to know who you are. And if nobody and nothing tells you who you are, I guess that is real open space. Terrifying! A genuine Disaster -- with capital “D.” It is no wonder that those who find themselves in such a mess (which is pretty much all of us) are angry, aggressive, apparently irrational – and willing to listen to anybody who promises Stability and the “Return to the Normal.” As in, “Make America (or choose another country) Great Again!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>For those viewing Globalization as an Opportunity – that too is real. The elimination of illusory barriers and boundaries offers the potential for a radical increase of efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability (if those are your goals) as well as creativity and the capacity share the load and support our fellows in times of need. When the full diversity of humanity is brought to bear on the issues at hand, the collective power is immense.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>But there is a serious caveat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>This is not an Either/Or. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Both/And…For sure!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Opportunity is real. The Disaster also. Both are present. Both must be dealt with. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Perhaps this sounds novel and shocking – but truthfully the recognition of this polarity is ancient. The Yin and the Yang, Shiva as creator and destroyer, The Chinese symbol for Chaos combines two symbols, Disaster and Opportunity, I’m told. To which we might add the modern newcomer, Chaos/Emergence Theory. Old story in new attire.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>So what do you do?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>I think our 32 year experiment with Open Space offers some suggestions. At least it might be a good place to start the conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Interested?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Harrison<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Winter Address<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>7808 River Falls Dr.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Potomac, MD 20854<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>301-365-2093<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Summer Address<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>189 Beaucauire Ave<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Camden, ME 04843<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>207 763-3261<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Websites<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com">www.openspaceworld.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.ho-image.com">www.ho-image.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>