This gets to be a really interesting discussion around "bad"; whose definition?
bad for whom?
For me, the notions of evolving levels of consciousness/ Spirit come into play
here - see Spiral Dynamics (earlier threads in this listserve) and also
Harrison's "Stages Along Sprit's Way" in the Power of Spirit (based on Ken
Wilber's work..) . So Open Space can act as a gateway helping people move (if
they so chose and other life conditions are right) from Red meme/ reactive/
Skinhead gang type, or from Blue meme/ responsive/ orderly authority bound
organization, or from Orange meme / Pro-active/ corporate dominance... etc. -
to wherever they are ready to go next. And being an open gateway IS an act of
the best of human Spirit.
Meg
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Norris
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2000 5:05 PM
Subject: Re: OS for "bad" purposes
What would be the implications of convening an OS for purposes generally
considered to be for the ill of the community? For example, what if a street
gang convened an OS on doing a better job of taking over a neighborhood?
Would it still lead to the best of the human spirit emerging, as I always
experience in OS?
****************************************************************
Peg,
What an interesting twist of thought. It is my understanding that OS belongs
to all on the planet and beyond, so the premise is not as far fetched as it may
sound. In fact with OS's increased exposure to the world it is highly probable
that the scenario presented will be occur sometime in the near future. It may
have happened already.
We use to discuss a similar issue when I was the Senior Facilitator at the
U.S. Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI). One of our
greatest concerns with facilitating discussions around all discrimination
issues was the perceived risk of "helping in creating an improved and more
skilled bigot". This thought never left any of us even though it never was
realized as far as we could tell. In fact in virtually every instance, when
the hard bigots (particularly Skinheads, KKK, Christian Identity members and
hardcore Sexists/Sexual Harassers) were present and their Human Spirit became
visible to themselves they always began a journey of self reflection and
attempted change. OS was not used in DEOMI's facilitation processes.
I suspect if OS truly crystallizes the Human Spirits presence when the Space
is Opened, then those seeing their own Human Spirit in the reflection of
others will begin to question their own values, morals, ethics and Human
Beingness as it relates to their relationships with others and self.
Final thought....From the perspective of the gang members OS may have a
positive result for their group and it's goals.
OS is being used by organizations to gain "superior advantage" in the market
place thereby subtlety attempting to gain the dominant position....(having a
positive result for their group and it's goals.)
Great question....If OS belongs to the world should its use be restricted?
Rich Norris
What would be the implications of convening an OS for purposes generally
considered to be for the ill of the community? For example, what if a street
gang convened an OS on on doing a better job of taking over a neighborhood?
Would it still lead to the best of the human spirit emerging, as I always
experience in OS?
