Thanks for provoking such a rich question about free markets. It's my experience that when OS works, it's because people exercise freedom in connectivity, in a rich and generative context of listening. This is the opposite of freedom in isolation from and competition over others. OS also invites co-responsibility. This is the opposite of a community divided into power haves and have-nots.
On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 10:59 AM, Harrison Owen <hho...@verizon.net> wrote: > Marti – I think that is just the beginning of "responsibility." In the > first moments it is, as you, say – name your passion and show up. But over > time the stakes increase if the passion is sustained. Ultimate passions > require ultimate responsibility. I am not sure that is a matter of > philosophy. For me it is much more a matter of observation. Over the years, > that is just the way it has appeared to me. And it is a far cry from the > rather limpid laissez faire. I guess I just do not find the comparisons to > various political ideologies all that helpful, and for sure in my own > experience, OST never grew out of any political ideology. It just happened, > and to a large extent, its occurrence was an embarrassment. No right > thinking person, schooled in the ways things are supposed to be, would ever > believe it. And most don't. Which is at once both a problem and an > opportunity. I think. > > > > 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<http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> > > > > -----Original Message----- > *From:* OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] *On Behalf Of *Martin > Boroson > *Sent:* Wednesday, October 01, 2008 9:43 AM > *To:* osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > *Subject:* just wondering > > > > I am wondering … > > > > The philosophy of Open Space seems to promote a genuinely free market for > ideas. The underlying belief, as I understand it, is that allowing each > person to follow his/her passion is the best way to discover the best ideas > and solutions. It's efficient, just like a market. This sure sounds like > the 'invisible hand' and laissez-faire capitalism to me. > > > > I have even sold Open Space to some corporate execs by pointing out that > since they value the free market so dearly *outside* their company, they > might want to try a free market *for ideas* inside their company. > > > > So I have often wondered if people on this list believe as passionately in > the free market for the economy as they do in Open Space. In the current > economic crisis, as the world clamors for greater regulation – i.e. more > rules and limits on the freedom of markets – I am wondering if any of you > have any thoughts or insights to share. > > > > I imagine Harrison will remind me that Open Space runs on freedom > *and*responsibility… yet the responsibility asked of participants in Open > Space > is pretty minimal – naming their passion and showing up for their sessions > and respecting others' freedom to do the same. It's well short of > socialism. > > > > Marty > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Priory End House > > 2 North Street, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5NZ > > United Kingdom > > +44 784 344 5746 (mobile) > > www.martinboroson.info > > > * * ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To > subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist* * > ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To > subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
