David, I think it has been a good go. Thanks for the start. And there was one other thing that ran through my mind which might be worth adding to the discussion. Open Space is free. Which is not to say consultants aren't worthy of compensation -- they are, and I am very thankful for that :-)
However, from the very beginning Open Space Technology has been free for the taking. I never made any attempt to patent, trademark, or franchise OST. The reasons were partially self-interest and partially altruism. On the self interest side, it was clear to me that had I done any of the above I would have spent all my time defending the patent/trademark/franchise. And truthfully, I all I really wanted to do was open space -- in my life and in the lives of those around me. On the altruism side, it always seemed to me that Open Space was the birthright of every citizen of planet earth. Right up there with Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness comes having sufficient Open Space to do all three. So Open Space has been free ever since. But there is a cost for freedom -- That we share freely what we have all learned. Such sharing is the nature of this wonderful OSLIST, and it is the earmark of every OSONOS. The fact that some people (myself included) run "training programs" in Open Space for a fee, might seem a little out of whack. But then again I have rather weird sense of humor. I have always felt (and said) that anybody with a good head and a good heart can "do" Open Space, although it may well take you a life time to do it well. However if you want to pay to learn how, I am quite happy to take your money. 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:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of David Vachell Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 7:49 AM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: Re: Begining in OS Dear all Many thanks for your responses to my post. Especially to Harrison for his reassuring words (esp. it's mainstream now) - I'd hate to be thought of too left of field :-). Also to Catherine for her tip (I find occasions for OS every day, simply by reading the newspaper). I will start to build my plan around the excuse this gives me to read the paper. I understand the completion issues that Jack mentions, although I am surprised (and pleased since it implies a healthy market) that this is felt to be so intense for OS. I still try to follow the principal of abundance by which we are enriched by working together rather than impoverished by competing. Thanks for the book reference Michael. I have read Capra and like his work, I have ordered your suggestion from Amazon - I will have difficulty getting to Tai Wan but I would be interested if there are any training courses in the UK coming up. And Shikha - thanks - you definitely didn't bore me. I will take your thoughts and apply them. Best regards David * * ========================================================== 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
