what i usually tell clients is that an OS meeting is a fantastic opportunity. once the whole group is in the room, everyone can realize this immediately. now things that were previously unthinkable are suddenly not only thinkable, but actionable. so the opportunity is very clear as soon as we get everyone in teh room... and until then, it's hard to imagine what issues could be raised, because most folks won't appreciate or imagine just how much energy and attention will be available in the room. so i mostly encourage not posting topics. if they're wiki people, sometimes what we've done is post answers to "why i'm coming", mostly to give people a way to start thinking and imagining who will be there.
mh On 1/1/07, Harrison Owen <hho...@verizon.net> wrote:
For me the real issue is -- when is space open, and what sort of space? I have seen organizations that use wiki-type format all the time, and so when they do an OST, it is just an extension, but in a different format. I think it is radically different if the wiki stuff takes on the life and function of "planning" the meeting." At that point it seems to me that it becomes quite counterproductive, and actually closes space before it ever truly opens. In the worst case scenario, people get stuck with the agenda they posted (on wiki or whatever) simply because they posted it. Hoisted on their own petard so to speak. The old argument that pre-planning the agenda insures that no issue is lost, and further that thinking about the issues before arrival raises quality is a dog the won't hunt, I think. Sounds very logical, but I have never seen a shred of evidence that it was valid. Indeed quite the opposite. Pre-planned agendas insure irrelevance – yesterday's news! Worse than that, it is boring. 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<http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html> -----Original Message----- *From:* OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] *On Behalf Of *Ted Ernst *Sent:* Monday, January 01, 2007 12:14 PM *To:* osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu *Subject:* Re: using a wiki to post OS topics before Opening the Space] On the other hand, I've experienced this phenomenon as well, and the vast majority of attendees won't have seen the pre-announced topics, nor remember the ones they read, so the self-organization and chaos of the opening is preserved AND those that are very interested in what a person says about herself, can make sure to find and meet that person. Again, this is self-organization. We wouldn't want to forbid pre-posting of topics, would we? That seems contrary to our role as facilitators. peace, ted On 1/1/07, *Kerry* <k...@napuk.demon.co.uk> wrote: Hi I, for one, do not feel it is a good idea to post issues before an event. If this is done, it will lead people to form responses in advance and defend them during discussions in breakout groups, which will leave people less open to hearing new views. It also diminishes the chaos at the beginning of events when issues start tumbling out and people start to get excited and decide where they want to work . All the very best in 2007! May your space continue to open. Cheers Kerry Edinburgh www.openfutures.com * * ========================================================== 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 -- Humanize the Earth! http://tedernst.com Open more space! http://www.openspaceworld.org Need help doing something? http://chicagoconservationcorps.org/blog/ Housing Co-ops in Chicago: http://www.chicagocoop.net skype: TedErnst jabber: teder...@gmail.com * * ========================================================== 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
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