Harrison’s ability to help us put our own thoughts in orderis a gift! He and
I share much, basically the same “bubble”. I’m a WASPsans prep school. I see it
as Harrison does but I always place italics and boldprint on the term FEAR!!!
FEAR is the product of the absence of Open Space i.e., thecollective engagement
in meeting the needs of all. Despite our efforts, this world shows evergrowing
evidence of fear. Trump’s win was not about Trump. It was about “them”,
allthose living in fear of others. They’re a mob unified only by fear. I am
following Harrison’s prescription here in small townAmerica. I’m opening space
in hopes of restoring trust in our system ofgovernance. It’s working!Elwin
GuildFuture Development InternationalPortland, CT
From: Harrison Owen via OSList <[email protected]>
To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
<[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 10:24 AM
Subject: [OSList] OLpening Space for Civil Conversation
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div.yiv8517584241WordSection1 {}-->The American election occurred almost three
weeks ago. Curiously, not a word has been uttered here on OSLIST. Obviously
this was an American election, but it seems very much of a global phenomenon.
It is also true that over the years we have typically avoided politics of
whatever sort. However, I think the case can be made that while politics,
nationally and internationally, are very much a part of what is transpiring –
The issues are much deeper and more profound. Creating space for useful, civil
conversations is critical, and we know something about that. Ho Ps – I have
offered a few thoughts below.
***************************************************************************************Donald
Trump Was Not elected by Martians I experienced the election of Donald Trump
as a massive shock. That said, it must be affirmed that he won fair and square
– albeit with a little help from an arcane institution: The Electoral College.
Curiously, there were several million more people voting for Hillary than
Donald. But never mind – he won. And Donald Trump was not elected by Martians.
The Donald’s victory is appalling to me for many reasons, which need not be
reiterated. But it is a fact. He won. The Donald is also a recognizable
American Type, perhaps more in the mold of The Robber Barons or Al Capone, but
definitely, “American.” Actually, he is his own Brand, or so he would have you
believe. More to the point, he was elected by Americans. These Americans are
my fellow citizens, a disparate bunch for sure, and some of them are neighbors,
relatives, even friends. How could they do this? You will not miss the pain
and incredulity of my question. However, in the interests of transparency, I
have a confession to make. I am an endangered species, one of a vanishing few:
a certified WASP. Skin color, definitely light, Anglo-Saxon for sure, and
Protestant of the Episcopalian sort. Old Philadelphian, Socially Registered,
all the proper schools. In short: WASP And I lived in a bubble. It is true
that I have traveled the world, living and working on every continent (save
Antarctica) – for corporations, governments and very small villages. I have
heard much, and seen more – but you never get out of your skin. That bubble
goes with you. The election of Donald Trump popped my bubble. I have to thank
him for that. The revelation experienced has little to do with a sudden
perception of the issues involved. Some of those issues were less familiar, but
few were strangers. Indeed, I seem to have worked with them all. What I missed
(or miss-gauged) was more fundamental: Fear. Deep, existential Fear. The
Germans would say Angst. The source of all this anxiety? I suspect the culprit
is none other than Change. Deep, radical Change... with no end in sight. All
7.5+ billion of us are in the midst of a transformative moment. Every
organization, institution, or social structure worldwide is being pushed to the
edge of breaking – and beyond. The Pillars of the Earth, the central
structures, the things we count on.... are on shaking ground. It is all called
CHANGE with a very capitol C. Terrifying – if you stop to think about it.
Remarking that the world is changing has become a tattered cliché. And
curiously, on the American political scene, a leading theme is the need for
CHANGE! Both Obama (“Change you can believe in”) and Trump played that card. We
seem to be asking for more of our most frightening nightmare.The insanity of
this paradox resolves once the nature of our desired change is specified. More
often than not, the hoped for Change is, “Back to the good old days.” That
could be days as they actually were, or more usually, days as we might wish
them to have been. The “American Dream” being a good example. That there is
The Dream is a fact, and it has had the beneficial effect of pushing and
sucking us along. But suggesting that The Dream represents an assured reality,
guaranteed for life, is a cruel hoax perpetrated by naive dreamers and frauds
alike, but for differing reasons. The net effect, however, is the same: Massive
disillusion, anger and ultimately – Fear. The world we expected, the world we
were “promised” is never going to happen. It could be something better, maybe
something different – but definitely not “as promised.” You can see the pickle
we have created for ourselves. How we got here is the core of the present
debate. The virtually universal response is, Somebody did something wrong,
followed quickly by strong condemnation, all combined with multiple “sure-fire”
fixes. Somewhere there must be The Plan, The Leader, or best of all, The Leader
with The Plan... In case you hadn’t noticed, we are still waiting... Then
again, perhaps we are looking at things in the wrong way? What we take to be
error, chaos and confusion, the ending and dissolution of life... may be quite
different. What we are experiencing could be a critical aspect of life’s
ongoing, natural process. Like crustaceans (crabs, for example), we create a
comfortable shelter (shells) in which we happily grow. I might also say,
bubble. We are protected until that inevitable day when we are just too much
“crab” for our accommodations. A serious choice has to be made. Shed the shell
or die! Of course, shedding the shell makes one totally vulnerable to any
passing critter searching for a tender, tasty meal. Terrifying! Following this
analogy, we have created many shells called “Political Systems,” “Scientific
Theories,” “Social Mores,” “Cultures” – each one providing a momentary safe
space for a few lucky inhabitants. We have done this again and again, in
parallel and sequentially. For better than a million years, we as a species
(Homo sapiens), have evolved – engaging, surpassing, and on occasion,
eliminating, our cousins (Homo whatever), and other fellow travelers on Planet
Earth. As a species, we have done quite well (so far), albeit with some
collateral damage. For those protected by new and emerging “shells,” this is
known as Progress. For all other creatures, there are different names. The
weakest version may be “Change,” but stronger varieties include: pain, deceit,
catastrophe, calamity. Viewed from the point of view of the evolution of our
species, we simply couldn’t be what we are, had we not been what we’ve been,
and overall we haven’t done that badly. Other species will take a less
charitable view. Simply put – our present, evolved position is a direct result
of our moving from shell to shell (bubble to bubble). For all those
questioning the positive nature of this evolution, I suggest an immediate
re-location in any handy cave – presuming you find one unoccupied by a
Saber-tooth or other nasty creature. Now to the point: The Donald represents
another Shell/Bubble. Not a very good one, I submit, but never the less, a
covering space for those who think, hope, believe – that he can somehow give
them shelter in the storm. As with pudding, the test will be in the eating.
Should the shell prove effective, it will last for whatever time. Then it too
will pass. There are those who hope and expect the Trumpian Shell to endure.
Adolph Schicklgruber was promising a 1000 years, but fortunately life moved on
and change came sooner. How long we will be stuck with The Donald is anybody’s
guess. In the mean time, we might just as well get on with life – for surely
life is getting on with us. As usual. And we can help. Our plottings, plans,
and procedures are interesting of course, but perhaps more important is doing
what we can to keep a little space open so that Life has room to grow. Who
knows what wonder and majesty will emerge all by itself. Winter Address7808
River Falls Dr.Potomac, MD 20854301-365-2093 Summer Address189 Beaucauire
AveCamden, ME 04843207 763-3261 Websiteswww.openspaceworld.comwww.ho-image.com
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