PS Chris - love what you shared. Already thinking of design ideas for that badge...
On Fri, Nov 19, 2021, 10:52 AM Jeff Aitken <[email protected]> wrote: > To come back around to Nora for a moment: She is exploring how a fresh new > hypothesis gets created, one which can be a better fit to a complex > situation in a time of crisis. > > Foundational to a new hypothesis is "the realm of unseen contributors > coalescing to produce the foundations of hypothesis." > > She finds that by intentionally placing different contexts of life side by > side in new configurations - literally doing so in the design of warm data > labs - the tender shoots of new hypothesis formation are nurtured. > > My question: Is this a restatement of the notion that "U shaped" processes > like Bohm dialogue or Open Space can foster conversation that deepens us > beneath our long held assumptions, to explore fresh assumptions? (What some > have called transformative learning, and what HHO originally called > "crossing the open space"?) > > Or is Nora getting at something new and different? > > Nora and colleagues might or might not be versed in the theory and > practice of what Peggy documented in The Change Handbook, with 18 and then > 60+ different processes. > > We have kinda danced around this question, and I want to ask it more > directly. > > Warmly > > Jeff > > > > > > > > > On Fri, Nov 19, 2021, 9:36 AM Chris Corrigan via OSList < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> I think I have come to learn that all the work of an Open Space meeting >> happens in the invitation, and the more personal and intentional the >> better. Recently I had a client work for two months to get 20 very >> powerful people in a room to talk about a major issue in the education >> system, and the Open Space was only six hours, and my work was really only >> 20 minutes of active facilitation. That to me is a mark of great >> participation and a high chance for sustainability of the results. Hoping >> one day I can coach a client in invitation so well that they don;t even >> need a big face to face meeting, or at the very least, they don't need me >> there. At that point I will call it "Achieving a Harrison" and award >> myself a badge. And then go and take a nap. >> >> Chris >> >> On Fri, Nov 19, 2021 at 12:15 AM Thomas Herrmann via OSList < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I love this way of clarifying how you can look for inviting the whole >>> system, Peggy! Thanks for sharing! I will make sure I incorporate it in my >>> practice as I think it helps the thinking about how to spread “the >>> irresistible invitation”. And I also agree its great to involve as many of >>> these stakeholders early in the process, especially as there is often a low >>> level of trust between them. >>> >>> Usually I invite my sponsors quite clearly to not jump up and raise >>> their topics but wait and see what happens, I assure them that I will be >>> very clear to give space for everyone and not closing the agenda creation >>> without very clear last opportunities – so they can rest assured that all >>> of their important topics can be posted. So if they miss anything at the >>> end, they can add. I agree with others, they are mostly surprised by the >>> richness of the agenda created by participants. >>> >>> >>> >>> One piece I have included in my designs the last years is to have a >>> “sync-meeting” some time the last week before the OST, to give them an >>> opportunity to share their hopes and fears for the upcoming OST and clarify >>> any practicalities they may be wondering about. This is much appreciated >>> and givs them more of a feeling of safety and it increases their curiosity, >>> openness and peace 😊. >>> >>> >>> >>> With appreciation for all of the wisdom in this circle >>> >>> Thomas Herrmann >>> >>> >>> >>> *Från:* OSList <[email protected]> *För *Peggy >>> Holman via OSList >>> *Skickat:* den 18 november 2021 23:08 >>> *Till:* Open Space Listserv <[email protected]> >>> *Kopia:* Peggy Holman <[email protected]> >>> *Ämne:* Re: [OSList] Where angels fear to tread >>> >>> >>> >>> Like Michael, I have had the experience of leaders making a list behind >>> the scenes and being surprised that participants not only posted everything >>> on their list but also things that they hadn’t thought of that turned out >>> to matter to them. And, of course, the experience of witnessing the >>> passion, interest, and creativity of people often surprises everyone who is >>> in an Open Space meeting for the first time. >>> >>> >>> >>> Jeff, to your question about requisite variety of topics in an Open >>> Space, I see that as a matter of being mindful about invitation. The >>> biggest investment of preparation time for the Open Spaces I’m involved >>> with are inviting, as Harrison would say, “the people who care.” Whomever >>> I’m working with, I encourage them to do the work of thinking through, >>> given their purpose, who makes up the system — who are the people who care? >>> In many cases, that may include involving a microcosm in shaping the >>> organizing question and invitation so that it resonates with the people of >>> the system. >>> >>> >>> >>> I take my cue on how to think about who makes up the system from Marv >>> Weisbord and Sandra Janoff’s rubric of inviting the people who “ARE IN” — >>> with *A*uthority, *R*esources, *E*xpertise, *I*nformation, and * N*eed. >>> I also suggest an overlay for considering demographic diversity. For >>> thinking about that, I draw from the Maynard Institute’s “Fault lines” - >>> race, class, gender, geography, and generation and two “fissures” - >>> politics and religion. Not all dimensions apply to every situation but >>> bringing them up enables the people planning the Open Space to make a >>> conscious choice about whom they invite and how. >>> >>> >>> >>> This is a long-winded way of saying that my experience is that by doing >>> the work to invite a requisite variety of people, a requisite variety of >>> topics will show up. And then, to the principle of whoever comes is the >>> right people, I let go of worrying about it. >>> >>> >>> >>> Birgitt — to words and embodied experience, yes you are saying what I >>> meant: *it is not the words used that are most likely to help, rather >>> the embodied experience*. For example, describing the experience of >>> Open Space and what it produces can be enough for some. For most of us, >>> hearing a description or even seeing a video doesn’t come close to being >>> there. It is a multi-dimensional experience that involves, head, heart, >>> body, spirit. Rarely does this come across in a description. A story might >>> communicate more of it. But I’m guessing most people discover some aspect >>> they hadn’t expected from just reading, hearing, or watching a video about >>> it. >>> >>> >>> >>> Appreciatively, >>> >>> Peggy >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> ________________________________ >>> >>> Peggy Holman >>> Co-founder >>> Journalism That Matters >>> 15347 SE 49th Place >>> Bellevue, WA 98006 >>> 206-948-0432 >>> www.journalismthatmatters.org >>> www.peggyholman.com >>> Twitter: @peggyholman >>> JTM Twitter: @JTMStream >>> >>> Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into >>> Opportunity <http://www.engagingemergence.com> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Nov 17, 2021, at 1:52 PM, Michael M Pannwitz via OSList < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> Dear Birgitt, >>> >>> your two sentences: >>> >>> "My perspective: following the principles of OST, spirit shows up in the >>> moment, inspiring people to post exactly the topics that need to be posted >>> at that moment in time. This dynamic is altered when relying on anyone to >>> pre-post topics, or to set meta-topics, catering to limitation rather than >>> abundance of possibilities." >>> >>> had some memories come up. >>> >>> In at least three of the ost events I was involved in it turned out that >>> the sponsors prepared a set of "issuse" they felt should be part of the >>> event before the event... in case nobody would post them. >>> To the surprises of the sponsors all their issues were posted by the >>> participants. >>> In addition, they themselves experienced that other issues entered their >>> mind during the process that they then posted. >>> In many other ost events sponors were very surprised about the broad >>> passion, interest, creativity, etc. and most of all selforganisation that >>> manifested... >>> >>> For what actually happens when ost is part of the everyday life of an >>> organisation over a number of years with a special focus on the vast system >>> of that enterprise have a look here >>> >>> >>> https://www.westkreuz-verlag.de/de/Practicing-Open-Space-Our-First-Ten-Years-E-Book >>> >>> >>> in English, French, Polish, Spanish and Chinese ... translated from the >>> German Original by ost-colleagues all of you know >>> >>> Cheers from Berlin >>> mmp >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Am 17.11.2021 um 21:32 schrieb Birgitt Williams via OSList: >>> >>> Jeff...thanks for sharing the article and for the discussion that >>> emanated from the question you posed to the OS list. I have enjoyed the >>> responses and look forward to more conversation showing up. You have added >>> more great questions. >>> You asked:Do we assume that the passion and responsibility of a gathered >>> group will create the requisite variety of topics/contexts to generate >>> excellent Warm Data from a theme question, and foster these unseen >>> transcontextual sources of systems changing creativity? >>> Or does the sponsor need to think up and post the outlying >>> topics/contexts to invite that fruitful variety? >>> What are the upsides and downsides of having a passionate advocate post >>> and host each topic of conversation? What topics don't get posted, and does >>> that limit the potential and health of the system? >>> My perspective: following the principles of OST, spirit shows up in the >>> moment, inspiring people to post exactly the topics that need to be posted >>> at that moment in time. This dynamic is altered when relying on anyone to >>> pre-post topics, or to set meta-topics, catering to limitation rather than >>> abundance of possibilities. >>> Peggy...I am intrigued by your sentences "Sometimes more and different >>> words can help. More often, it takes an embodied experience." I would like >>> to understand more. My current understanding is that it is not the words >>> used that are most likely to help, rather the embodied experience. Is this >>> what you mean? >>> in genuine contact, >>> Birgitt >>> Picture* >>> * >>> *Birgitt Williams* >>> *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * >>> *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership >>> development, and the power of nourishing a culture of leadership.* >>> www.dalarinternational.com <http://www.dalarinternational.com> >>> >> Learn More & Register < >>> http://www.dalarinternational.com/upcoming-workshops/> for any of our >>> upcoming workshops here. >>> PO Box 19373, Raleigh, NC, USA 27613 >>> Phone: 01-919-522-7750 >>> Like us on Facebook < >>> https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG >>> > >>> Connect on LinkedIn < >>> https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG >>> > >>> On Wed, Nov 17, 2021 at 7:31 AM Jeff Aitken via OSList < >>> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> wrote: >>> Now I am considering whether there is a (hopefully) funny joke >>> lurking here somewhere. >>> The facilitator asked the sponsor, "do you want a book of >>> proceedings created from your event?" And the sponsor said "no, I'm >>> going for the aphanipoesis, but thanks." >>> But seriously folks, do we assume that the passion and >>> responsibility of a gathered group will create the requisite variety >>> of topics/contexts to generate excellent Warm Data from a theme >>> question, and foster these unseen transcontextual sources of systems >>> changing creativity? >>> Or does the sponsor need to think up and post the outlying >>> topics/contexts to invite that fruitful variety? >>> What are the upsides and downsides of having a passionate advocate >>> post and host each topic of conversation? What topics don't get >>> posted, and does that limit the potential and health of the system? >>> What can the OST methodology teach the WDL methodology, and vice >>> versa? >>> Early morning questions, >>> Jeff >>> On Tue, Nov 16, 2021, 5:45 PM Peggy Holman via OSList >>> <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> wrote: >>> From what I can glean in Bateson’s article and what I have >>> heard about Warm Data, what happens does sound parallel to what >>> occurs when people meet in Open Space. >>> I find her writing frustrating. But when one is attempting to >>> give language to new ideas, it’s rough. The effort falls into a >>> pattern she discusses: our tendency to want to relate to the >>> ideas through habitual lenses. Sometimes more and different >>> words can help. More often, it takes an embodied experience. >>> Perhaps a Warm Data Lab? >>> I find her insight that we need a word for life coalescing >>> towards vitality in unseen ways intriguing. By naming it, I hope >>> it will become more seen. Sounds like something we want to >>> notice and grow. >>> Thanks for sending the article Jeff. >>> ________________________________ >>> Peggy Holman >>> Co-founder >>> Journalism That Matters >>> Bellevue, WA 98006 >>> 206-948-0432 >>> www.journalismthatmatters.org < >>> http://www.journalismthatmatters.org> >>> www.peggyholman.com <http://www.peggyholman.com> >>> Twitter: @peggyholman >>> JTM Twitter: @JTMStream >>> Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval >>> into Opportunity <http://www.engagingemergence.com> >>> >>> On Nov 16, 2021, at 2:48 PM, Chris Corrigan via OSList >>> <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> wrote: >>> >>> Thanks for sharing this Jeff. I have known about Nora's work >>> for sometime and although I don't fully understand it yet I >>> think what I do know of it, it's great.). >>> >>> WHy does she choose the words she chooses? I think because >>> this is how she has come to an understanding about the simple >>> truths that Warm Data works with. God know we have some pretty >>> funny language amongst us all to explain things like "let >>> people look after things they care about." But, Jeff, the >>> first piece you posted of hers makes a lot of sense to me and >>> is a concise description of Warm Data process, and is very >>> helpful to me having an "aha" about it. >>> >>> Chris >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 16, 2021 at 1:37 PM Jeff Aitken via OSList >>> <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> wrote: >>> >>> Also I note that Nora is still very early in the practice >>> of a methodology that she invented (I think.) >>> >>> Maybe it's like the first five-ten years of OST as folks >>> were figuring out what the hell this is all about... : ) >>> >>> And from the lens of an artist and family therapy >>> researcher whose father was Gregory Bateson. That makes >>> sense to me... >>> >>> Warmly >>> Jeff >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 16, 2021, 1:21 PM Jeff Aitken >>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> >>> wrote: >>> >>> Hi Birgitt. My first guess is that it serves >>> practitioners to be simple, while it serves systems >>> scientists to be complicated or complex. >>> >>> They are writing about living systems at all scales >>> and making very subtle distinctions. >>> >>> It may serve us practitioners to have some >>> appreciation for the latter. "Your mileage may vary" >>> tho, as a friend says! >>> >>> Warmly >>> Jeff >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 16, 2021, 1:10 PM Birgitt Williams >>> <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> wrote: >>> >>> Jeff..I don't understand why it serves to be so >>> complicated? Why not simply refer to seen and unseen? >>> >>> Birgitt >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 16, 2021, 3:57 PM Jeff Aitken via >>> OSList <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> wrote: >>> >>> One more email - I was amiss to mention this >>> new theory by Nora, without defining the word >>> she is introducing, and she finds occurring in >>> Warm Data Lab and I think is true in OST too. >>> >>> It is "a way to describe a life giving >>> process, by which vitality, healing, and >>> creativity come into being by the coalescence >>> of multiple unseen factors." >>> >>> "Aphanipoiesis combines two words from ancient >>> Greek to describe this way in which life >>> coalesces toward vitality in unseen ways. >>> (Aphanis comes from a Greek root meaning >>> obscured, unseen, unnoticed; poiesis is from >>> one meaning to bring forth, to make.)" >>> >>> Yes it's an academic term, and is presented at >>> a systems science conference and in a journal >>> article. >>> >>> Useful for practitioners to think about and to >>> notice in our work? That's my question for the >>> oslist. >>> >>> It reminds me of Harrison's definition of >>> "peace" in The Practice of Peace. With an >>> emphasis on the unseen, internal, very subtle >>> shifts that take place that are NOT reflected >>> in proceedings and action plans. >>> >>> Warmly, Jeff. >>> >>> Reference: >>> >>> Bateson, N.,(2021). Aphanipoiesis. In Journal >>> of the International Society for the Systems >>> Sciences, Proceedings of the 64th Annual >>> Meeting of the ISSS, Virtual (Vol. 1, №1) — >>> under review. >>> >>> >>> >>> This work was presented at the Annual >>> Biosemiotics Conference June 2021, the Annual >>> Conference of the International Society of >>> Systems Sciences July 2021, and the Annual >>> conference of the Institute of General >>> Semantics September 2021. >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 11:16 PM Jeff Aitken >>> <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> wrote: >>> >>> As a refresher or quick intro to the >>> process, Warm Data Lab starts with a group >>> of folks and a theme question. But the >>> topics of conversation are chosen in >>> advance by sponsor and facilitator. Each >>> breakout table (or area) gets a topic >>> written on a sign: which names a context >>> from which to address the theme question. >>> >>> So if the theme is drug abuse, the chosen >>> wide variety of contexts might be: >>> education, prisons, public health, >>> initiation, addiction, pharmaceuticals, >>> parenting, ceremony, etc. People go to the >>> breakouts of their choice and stay or move >>> as they wish. The law of mobility is used. >>> A closing circle might end the event after >>> some number of hours. >>> >>> It has some qualities of OST and World >>> Cafe while being different. >>> >>> I've only been in one WDL so other folks >>> might improve my description. >>> >>> Jeff >>> >>> On Mon, Nov 15, 2021, 7:22 PM Jeff Aitken >>> <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>>> wrote: >>> >>> Where does systemic change take place? >>> I am reflecting on earlier posts about >>> the Warm Data Lab and comparing - >>> contrasting this work with other >>> hosted conversation processes like OST. >>> >>> What seems different - please correct >>> this if it's wrong - is the level of >>> attention paid to the complex ways in >>> which WDL might help bring about >>> change. Looking well beyond action >>> plans and carefully harvested >>> proceedings etc. >>> >>> This may be a fruitful area of inquiry >>> for OST folks. (The subject line here >>> is from a reference in a book by Nora >>> Bateson's late father Gregory.) >>> >>> Nora Bateson just shared a video and >>> long essay, coming out prior to her >>> essay being published soon in a >>> journal. She is introducing a new term >>> "aphanipoiesis" to the conversation of >>> systemic transformation. >>> >>> The essay is here: >>> >>> https://norabateson.medium.com/aphanipoiesis-96d8aed927bc >>> < >>> https://norabateson.medium.com/aphanipoiesis-96d8aed927bc> >>> >>> Some teaser paragraphs for us. Can >>> this also be said about OST, but we >>> just don't?? >>> >>> "Rewilding the Interior >>> >>> >>> In the words of the Warm Data hosting >>> theory, we tend the “about” so that >>> what is re-configured is in the >>> “within.” It does not really matter >>> what people talk “about” in a Warm >>> Data Lab. There is nothing to capture >>> at that level. What matters is the way >>> the participants are internally sewing >>> together the different conversations >>> and contexts. On a transcript this >>> information is inaccessible. >>> >>> "In the Warm Data processes, >>> communication in explicit form is not >>> held to be the communication of >>> interest. That level of conversation >>> is there as a skeleton, onto which the >>> stories not told reshape the person >>> who did not tell them, the alterations >>> in tone, the re-tilted perception is >>> given free rein to rub memories and >>> stories against each other. One >>> comment that comes up repeatedly is, >>> “Your story changed my story.” Through >>> this “side-by-side-ing,” stories told >>> change stories almost told, and their >>> bearers are able to reshape their >>> impressions in ways that are untamed. >>> By careful tending of the “about” and >>> “within,” the rich world of memory and >>> story re-wilds. >>> >>> >>> "The gaps are where the hope of >>> systemic transformation is waiting. In >>> the Warm Data processes, participants >>> are given a structure to re-stitch, to >>> re-wild, to begin a new abductive >>> process into these gaps. Again, by >>> placing the contexts of life >>> side-by-side in new configurations, >>> the aphanipoietic processes are given >>> room, without conscious purpose or >>> goals or defined outcomes, without >>> scripts or roles or trends — to allow >>> the tender new beginnings of another >>> abductive description to form mutually. >>> >>> "Through this work, I have found I >>> needed this term to embark on a deeper >>> study of the importance of >>> aphanipoiesis. The changes I witness >>> occurring in the Warm Data processes >>> are completely unpredictable and >>> profound. They suggest ever more >>> vividly that there is a real, if >>> unseen, mingling of the body, culture, >>> education, family — and a whole batch >>> of transcontextual experience that is >>> guiding all other actions. It is to >>> this change that I have devoted my >>> efforts toward systemic transformation." >>> >>> Warmly, >>> Jeff >>> Yelamu / San Francisco >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to >>> [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>> >>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>> >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click >>> below: >>> >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> < >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org> >>> Past archives can be viewed here: >>> >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >>> < >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>> >>> To unsubscribe send an email to >>> [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected] >>> <[email protected]>> >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> < >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org> >>> Past archives can be viewed here: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >>> <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Michael M Pannwitz >>> Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin >>> +49 30 7728000 [email protected] >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> Past archives can be viewed here: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to [email protected] >>> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> Past archives can be viewed here: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] >> >> >> >> -- >> --- >> CHRIS CORRIGAN >> Facilitation - Training - Process Design - Strategy >> Complexity - Art of Hosting >> http://www.chriscorrigan.com >> >> Grateful to live on Nex̱wlélex̱wm (Bowen Island), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh >> territory, >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OSList mailing list >> To post send emails to [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >> Past archives can be viewed here: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > >
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