Raffi, I confess. The quirky side of me got the upper hand. My apologies :-)
But there was a serious point. The theme (question/issue) of an Open Space is the critical part of the invitation. Without that theme nobody will know whether they care to come - whether they will accept the invitation. I suppose a theme-less Open Space (Question to be determined upon arrival) could be an interesting group exercise/experience, but it would be an exercise that misses a most central point in Open Space. OS is not an exercise. In my experience, it is a time/space in which to do REAL BUSINESS -- in the sense that there is a perceived need which must be met by those who care to do so. That is what creates the passion and engenders the responsibility. Occasionally people suggest that it might be nice to "demonstrate Open Space." Usually that means that the group will "go through the motions" (sit in a circle, create a bulletin board.). The almost inevitable result is BLAH, BORING, Inconsequential. No passion and the reaction from the participants is usually summed up by somebody saying, "Is that all there is?" Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20854 Phone 301-365-2093 Skype hhowen Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website www.ho-image.com OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Raffi Aftandelian Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 4:31 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Diane Gibeault in Switzerland AFter reading your last post, Harrison, I am now convinced that it's not just a select few but really anybody is susceptible to what seems to be seasonal kookiness. I have noticed in the last few years that the most unexpected (dare I say shocking?) things find their ways onto the list in April, maybe April 1st is really a day to kick off a whole month of foolery? Perhaps April should be declared Deeper Open Space Month? Flush, er, with new questions as it were, Raffi [email protected], [email protected] talesofatoy.blogspot.com ___________________________________________________________________ "The secret of life is not in being perfect but in becoming progressively less stupid." --Marshall Rosenberg * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
