Do you wrestle sometimes with how to 'describe' self organisation? I work in the university and I was walking past one of the main lawn areas where students eat their lunch - it's called the "Oak Lawn'. I was suddenly struck by the way people were sitting - about 30 groups - none with less than 3 people and none with more than 10. Average around 7 people - all sitting in circles. Presumably talking about things they care about with people they want to talk with.
The same week a photograph of this scene appeared in the campus news paper with a reflection by the Guild President (that's the Student Union), who was reflecting on some of the features of the campus that he liked the most. He identified his favourite spot as the Oak Lawn and this is part of what he wrote: "But for a student I don't think that there is anywhere more memorable or important to us that the Oak Lawn. Situated in the centre of the campus and bounded by the Law School, Social Science and Guild Village, Oak Lawn is the heart and soul of campus [note the language in this very 'secular university']. There is nothing better than a lazy day lying around with friends under the massive oaks, listening to music, discussing all those important questions of life, or even just having a little snooze". Next time I need to describe self organisation to someone, I am just going to pull out this photograph! Michael Wood * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
