Hmmmm. Interesting inquiry regarding the roll of the "virus" in organizations.
My initial insight is that you "recruit" the virus and modify its "RNA message"or "payload" -- leaving its fundamental viral behavior in tact. Viruses are communications savants. They transport information across and throughout systems. And they can be very efficient and effective in executing their processes. In social systems, I have heard it said that "memes" are viral payloads. So, I might consider "recruiting" an organizational virus by modifying its "payload" through invitation and conversation and reflection -- not on the behavior of the virus, but rather on the messages (memes) that I wanted to propagate throughout the organization. This is similar to recruiting the "grapevine" of an organization by involving the opinion leaders as the first release point of information that you deem critical for dissemination. The "grapevine" is a natural human phenomena -- better to provide it with accurate information rather than have it make up its own "stories". Same with "viruses" Perhaps our evolution is dependent upon our interactions with viruses ! Mark R. Jones Chief Executive Officer Sunyata Agency Incorporated ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PO Box 58788 Renton, Washington USA 98058-1788 Phone: 425-413-6000 e-Mail: <mailto:suny...@att.net> suny...@att.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================ ================================================================ -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Craig Gilliam Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 1:53 PM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: Re: FW: Buzzards, Bats, and Bumblebees Judy wrote: "I think you are right that they are already there...I have a few buzzards that I work with...! Uggggh....what do you do with completely close-minded individuals who won't even consider anything but sucking the energy out of other individuals for their own gain??" Harrison wrote: A few well placed shots to the tail-feathers seems to clear the roost! As I hear your conversation, the question it raises for me is, What do you do with the person who functions like a virus in the organization? How do we regulate the virus while allowing the circle to be large enough to include him/her? What role does the virus play in an organization? Where or how does the immune system keep the virus in check? As I understand some medical models, the virus has at least three characteristics--1) Cannot replicate off of its own DNA. It has to have a host cell, 2) It doesn't understand boundaries, always sticking nose where doesn't belong, and 3) Does not learn from experience. It is so deep in their behavior, maybe even in their (I hope I shouldn't say "My" or "Our" and can say they and them) natures, that they don't seem to learn from their experience. With these comments, what role does the virus play for the organization? Practically speaking, how can we accept even the virus--while continuing to regulate their behavior,set the agenda, or not allowing them to create in us anxiety or the desire to destroy? (While I can talk about this theoretically, in practical situations, it is not easy.) Thanks, Craig <br><br><br>----Original Message Follows----<br>From: Harrison Owen <hho...@comcast.net><br>Reply-To: OSLIST <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu><br>To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu<br>Subject: Re: FW: Buzzards, Bats, and Bumblebees<br>Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2005 17:40:55 -0400<br><br>Judy wrote: "I think you are right that they are already there...I have a<br>few buzzards that I work with...! Uggggh....what do you do with completely<br>close-minded individuals who won't even consider anything but sucking the<br>energy out of other individuals for their own gain??"<br><br>**************************<br><br>Well -- how about a story? We have a roosting colony of Black Buzzards that<br>inhabit our neighborhood in the fall (prior to migration, mating and other<br>pleasures of buzzardly life). Roosting means that they come in and sit in<br>our trees/roofs/out buildings. Not just a few -- but a 100 or so. These are<br>not small birds! Jet black with 6' wing span. Sinister to put it mildly. And<br>as they say in another connection -- garbage in -- garbage out. Does not<br>improve the neighborhood!!!<br><br>Solution: (Might work in Open Space???) Small rockets at dusk (when they are<br>nestling in for the night). Nothing lethal -- but definitely attention<br>getting. BB Guns -- A few well placed shots to the tail-feathers seems to<br>clear the roost!<br><br>Harrison<br><br>Harrison Owen<br>7808 River Falls Drive<br>Potomac, Maryland 20845<br>Phone 301-365-2093<br><br>Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com<br>Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org<br>Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm<br>OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE .EDU<br>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit:<br>http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html<br><br><br><br >-----Original Message-----<br>From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Spady's<br>Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 5:08 PM<br>To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu<br>Subject: Re: FW: Buzzards, Bats, and Bumblebees<br><br>I think you are right that they are already there...I have a few buzzards<br>that I work with...! Uggggh....what do you do with completely close-minded<br>individuals who won't even consider anything but sucking the energy out of<br>other individuals for their own gain??<br><br>Judy Spady<br><br>----- Original Message -----<br>From: "Harrison Owen" <hho...@comcast.net><br>To: <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu><br>Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 1:36 PM<br>Subject: Re: FW: Buzzards, Bats, and Bumblebees<br><br><br> > No offence -- but are you suggesting that we add buzzards and bats? Or<br> > maybe<br> > they are already there? Interesting possibilities :-)<br> ><br> > ho<br> ><br> > Harrison Owen<br> > 7808 River Falls Drive<br> > Potomac, Maryland 20845<br> > Phone 301-365-2093<br> ><br> > Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com<br> > Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org<br> > Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm<br> > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu<br> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit:<br> > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html<br> ><br> ><br> ><br> > -----Original Message-----<br> > From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Spady's<br> > Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 12:30 PM<br> > To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu<br> > Subject: Fw: FW: Buzzards, Bats, and Bumblebees<br> ><br> > Sort of an interesting perspective about space that "seems" open, but<br> > really<br> > isn't. Sorry if this offends anyone in regards to the religious<br> > connotation.<br> > Judy Spady<br> ><br> > ----- Original Message -----<br> > From: "Huntmac" <hunt...@chase3000.com><br> > To: "Janet Rammage" <jan...@gpcom.net>; "Teresa Newman" <la...@gpcom.net>;<br> > <nlgau...@aol.com>; "Robert Malesich" <rmales...@pctelcom.coop>; "Marla"<br> > <jssm...@megavision.com>; "Judy" <ejesp...@mydurango.net>;<br> > <blgo...@aol.com>; "Aron Earl" <arone...@aol.com>;<br> > <danbe...@charterinternet.com>; <jean11...@comcast.net><br> > Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 8:44 AM<br> > Subject: Fw: FW: Buzzards, Bats, and Bumblebees<br> ><br> ><br> >><br> >> ----- Original Message -----<br> >> From: "Rich Meyer" <ryg...@chase3000.com><br> >> Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2005 9:37 PM<br> >> Subject: Fwd: FW: Buzzards, Bats, and Bumblebees<br> >><br> >><br> >>><br> >>><br> >>>><br> >>>><br> >>>> > This is very interesting information... we can all gain<br> >>>> > a new perspective or two....<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> > BUZZARD<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> > If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is<br> >>>> > entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to<br> >>>> > fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard<br> >>>> > always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12<br> >>>> > feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even<br> >>>> > attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small<br> >>>> > jail with no top.<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> > BAT<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> > The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably<br> >>>> > nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place.<br> >>>> > If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle<br> >>>> > about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some<br> >>>> > slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then,<br> >>>> > at once, it takes off like a flash.<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> > BUMBLEBEE<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> > A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there<br> >>>> > until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of<br> >>>> > escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out<br> >>>> > through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where<br> >>>> > none exists, until it completely destroys itself.<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> > PEOPLE<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> > In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat,<br> >>>> > and the bumblebee. They are struggling about with all their<br> >>>> > problems and frustrations, not ever realizing that the answer is<br> >>>> > right there "Above" them.<br> >>>> ><br> >>>> ><br> >>><br> >>><br> >><br> >><br> ><br> > *<br> > *<br> > ==========================================================<br> > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu<br> > ------------------------------<br> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,<br> > view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu:<br> > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html<br> ><br> > To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:<br> > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist<br> ><br> > *<br> > *<br> > ==========================================================<br> > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu<br> > ------------------------------<br> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,<br> > view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu:<br> > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html<br> ><br> > To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:<br> > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist<br><br>*<br>*<br>====================== ====================================<br>osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu<br>-- ----------------------------<br>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,<br>view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu:<br>http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/o slist.html<br><br>To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:<br>http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist<br><br>*<br>*<br>============= =============================================<br>OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE. 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