Hello, Michelle... although I don't know a great deal about systems, living systems (which are by definition self-organizing) are a topic which has engaged my attention for the past few years.
there are some wonderful texts which have been valuable to my understanding. I'll share them here, but I understand that primary reference sources are not always useful to everyone. Fritjof Capra's "The Web of Life" Humberto Maturana & Francisco Varela's "The Tree of Knowledge" Stuart Kauffman (oops...title escaped me...his work on Complex Adaptive Systems) of course, family systems thinkers like Bateson, Satir and Friedman (among others) were early and influential contributors to this body of knowledge and are still well-worth reading. Living systems (according to Capra's interpretation) seem to rely on 3 criteria: Structure Pattern Process They are self-organizing systems (Maturana calls it autopoeisis, which is essentially self-creating). Because human beings are autonomous entities, within our communities we form what Maturana refers to as meta-systems. One of the most remarkable "meta-system" is the Open Space experience, where we can witness the development of a self-organizing process within the pattern (laws/principles) and structure (space) of open space. It's remarkable because autonomous beings come together into this system experience and generate something totally new for a short while and then move away never to be regenerated. Because we are each whole...and connected to our collective experience...it is impossible to differentiate between our intellect, emotions, spirit and body. These are interconnected in ways we will not fathom except by "being" whole. The Open Space "system" is similar in that there are connections being made between and among the collective intellects, emotions, spirits and bodies until we may not differentiate between the ways in which we have connected except by accepting the "wholeness" of the experience. I suspect that terms like "self-organizing systems" sound too pat or simple or scientific to some. For many others it reflects a deeper understanding of the way in which all life is connected (the Gaia consciousness is an example). regards, Richard (Doc) Holloway ----- Original Message ----- From: Michelle Cooper <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, August 20, 1999 8:10 AM Subject: Self-organizing systems I noticed that my previous message got cut off. Spirit at work maybe? Anyway I have attached the rest of the message. >>I need to think more on the notion of self-organizing systems and how I would define them before I can contribute significantly. What my experience tells me is that people at this point in evolution do need a framework around which to organize. It starts with purpose, leadership and vision and is bounded by the givens or rules within which people organize. Open space gives people the appropriate structure and minimal rules that enable them to achieve amazing things with minimal intervention by others. Leadership is present in everyone in the meeting, but leadership gets the ball rolling too. Is this a self-organizing system? Would people self-organize without the givens, purpose etc. I have seen miserable failures where people have been expected to "self-organize" but have either not enough information to move ahead or there is too much control exerted. Are there degrees of self-organizing systems? How is this different from self-directed? The synonyms for self as a modifier are: of one's self, by one's self, by one's own effort, alone or individual. Perhaps self is not the right word, because it is inherently the whole that works together. Is the self the system? I will read other responses with interest. Kind regards; Michelle Michelle Cooper, RN, MScN The Cooper Group Consultants 200 Crestview Avenue Ancaster, Ontario Canada L9G1E2 Telephone - (905) 648- 4633 Fax - (905) 648-1763 E-mail [email protected]
