A big, big thank you Alexander for the ellipse. I was thinking 'what about
an ellipse?", my favorite form but didn't want to sound uninformed (code for
stupid!).
I'm not a mathemetician but I am interested in seeing shapes that mirror
shapes we see in nature. We do see circles and squares in a few natural
forms, we do see a few 'straight' lines but in nature the 'organic' shape is
more elliptical. I'm trying to envision what kind of structure would hold
an organization that operates AS an open space organization. I apologize if
I am inviting a discussion that long time members of this list have already
had. . . BUT I'd like to hear folks play with the idea of shape as a model
for an open space organization. My instinct has been telling me it is an
ellipse and I haven't voiced this thought with the group I am working with
to define what kind of vessel would hold an open space organization but I
keep whispering ellipse to myself.
If anyone is going to be generous and share their thinking about shape of os
org, I invite you to also think about what a decision making/communication
structure would look like that aspires to be open space. It is pretty easy
for me to see a five person os organization, I can still see ten person,
twenty. But thinking abundantly let's imagine this new venture is very
successful and has 100 members with five income-producing projects and 100+
different levels of ownership interest (some investors do not actively work
in my imaginary organization so processes, I think, need to be clear for
accountability) . And, if you are still thinking about my invitation,
remember that it is open space 365 days a year and livelihoods are at stake
and what would an os that lasted five years look like.
Just having fun thinking and welcome any thoughts.
Thanks for the ellipse.
From: Alexander Kjerulf <alexan...@kjerulf.com>
Reply-To: OSLIST <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu>
To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu
Subject: Re: Properties of circles
Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 09:50:50 +0100
Thanks Joelle for the image of table-deprived engineers trying to cover
their balls. This one goes in my story-chest.
Thinking back on the many OS meetings I've been a part of, it is
actually rarely that we've been sitting in a circle. At OSonOS in
Denmark we had this huge barn to meet in, so there we sat in a perfect
(and huge) circle, but for instance at the Practice of Peace in Seattle,
the shape we sat in was more of a square with rounded edges.
And this reminds me of another very pleasing shape, namely the super
ellipse which is a cross between an ellipse and a square. It was
invented by a french mathematician and popularized by Piet Hein, who
used in designing tables, stadiums, roundabouts, buildings and much
else. You can find the mathematical definition here:
http://www.2dcurves.com/power/powerse.html
Here's what Piet Hein himself had to say about that shape:
/Man is the animal that draws lines which he himself then stumbles over.
In the whole pattern of civilization there have been two tendencies, one
toward straight lines and rectangular patterns and one toward circular
lines. There are reasons, mechanical and psychological, for both
tendencies. Things made with straight lines fit well together and save
space. And we can move easily -- physically or mentally -- around things
made with round lines. But we are in a straitjacket, having to accept
one or the other, when often some intermediate form would be better. To
draw something freehand -- such as the patchwork traffic circle they
tried in Stockholm -- will not do. It isn't fixed, isn't definite like a
circle or square. You don't know what it is. It isn't esthetically
satisfying. The super-ellipse solved the problem. It is neither round
nor rectangular, but in between. Yet it is fixed, it is definite -- it
has a unity./ -- Piet Hein
Cheers
Alex
Alexander Kjerulf
alexan...@kjerulf.com
www.kjerulf.com
+45 2688 2373
Adress:
Tagensvej 126, lejl. 613
2200, Copenhagen N
Denmark
Joelle Lyons Everett wrote:
The circle brings many benefits--not the least is that it is a very
ancient
way for people to gather, and so brings energy gathered through the aeons.
I think creating a circle bounds the gathering, helps to focus on the
theme,
creates a container that give participants a sense both of safety and of
awe.
I remember reading in the newspaper a few years back about a planned
gathering in Seattle--I think a demonstration or protest of some sort.
The article
named a tribal elder and shaman who had come to the site every day for a
week
before, and walked prayerfully around the entire geographical space
included in
the proposed march. I often remember this story when I am preparing to
facilitate Open Space.
The circle truly does put people in a position of equality, and
participants
sense this right away, with or without mention. I usually invite the
sponsor
to open the space from the center of the circle, if he or she is willing.
They feel a bit awkward or vulnerable, and this feels just right.
As for getting rid of tables, I still chuckle over the report of a friend,
who years ago was beginning to have engineering problem-solving groups
meet in a
circle, without a table. I asked him how that was going. "It's really
funny," he replied, to stand in the center and watch all these guys trying
to cover
their balls."
My 2 cents' worth--
Joelle
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