I just saw this documentary on Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement in Kenya. Amazing inspiration on so many fronts this film about Open Space and community and self-knowing as first steps in change and the history of what is happening now. http://takingrootfilm.com/
On Thu, Mar 26, 2015 at 1:16 PM, facilit8 - Amanda Bucklow via OSList < oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: > You have persuaded me that the 'two way street' is better for responsible > traffic control, Michael. :-) > > It takes guts to do that kind of thing. So power to those who are willing > to be vulnerable to the unknown. > > I am really enjoying the information on Fran Peavey. The Ganges story > could translate in many places. I am working in Kenya at the moment and no > one has the ‘space' to speak about the terrible corruption and how to stop > it, which goes to driving licences and baggage handling at the airport. > There are many worthy initiatives and each is good and makes a difference. > Critical mass and courage in the face of very real threats to personal > safety are building. We/they need to open more space like this. > > A > > > On 26 Mar 2015, at 17:04, Michael Herman via OSList < > oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: > > i think the free speech part is important, amanda, at least in the U.S. > where we've made such a big deal about it for so long. it might be our > most basic right, a proxy for all our other rights. and yet it doesn't > work unless somebody's also listening. responsibility. it seems important > to be able to do these things together, in small flash groups like lucas > has been doing and also to make it a signal that has application and > implications for the largest political conversations. one of the steele > election reforms, for instance, is ending gerrymandering, the practice of > cobbling together sprawling election districts where (and so that) speech > can go on without listening. > > it's exciting, at the moment, to have lucas' experiment running alongside > daniel's experiment, too. > > > > > > -- > > Michael Herman > Michael Herman Associates > 312-280-7838 (mobile) > > http://MichaelHerman.com <http://michaelherman.com/> > http://OpenSpaceWorld.org <http://openspaceworld.org/> > > > On Thu, Mar 26, 2015 at 11:47 AM, facilit8 - Amanda Bucklow < > ama...@facilit8.com> wrote: > >> This is so exciting! I don’t know quite why is should be so exciting but >> it is for me. I am with you Michael on all your points. I might even be >> tempted to drop the ‘free speech’ part and just go with ‘free listening’ >> although I like the 'two way street’. >> >> Thanks for the note about Fran Peavey - I will look her up and the bits >> on your web site. >> >> warm wishes >> Amanda >> >> >> >> On 26 Mar 2015, at 16:25, Michael Herman <mich...@michaelherman.com> >> wrote: >> >> AWESOME! >> >> and a few thoughts to mix in... >> >> 1. if you haven't seen or heard of her, lucas, you might have a look for >> fran peavey. the gist of her story is that at a higher point of cold war >> tension and nuclear worries, she sold her house and stuff, bought a plane >> ticket, and packed a bit of old sheet with "American willing to listen" >> written on it in marker. I think she went first to Japan, and started a >> practice of sitting on benches and other public places with her sign laid >> out next to her. And then just waiting. This developed into something she >> called "strategic questioning." It seems her old website has disappeared, >> but a while back i captured some favorite bits of it at >> http://www.michaelherman.com/cgi/wiki.cgi?StrategicQuestions >> >> 2. i'm sure there are any number of ways to add rules and guidance and >> structure to what you've done, as you've wondered here. i'd say resist the >> temptation. years ago i was sitting in a circle in racine wisconsin, one >> big circle of 40 folks, talking about the future of their city and how to >> organize things in support. things got a little tense, scraped the wall in >> spots, shall we say, but i sat and did nothing, witnessing, holding, >> trusting, i suppose. when i shared the story with harrison, he said >> something like, "well, you've earned your stripes and your pay." this >> seems like one of those moments to be fully present and do as little, >> signal as little as possible. >> >> 3. that said, you already have made signs, so i'm going to say that's >> part of the practice, already. you already used the words "free speech." >> i said don't add anything and now i want to suggest adding just a very >> little bit to that and wonder if that won't be enough guidance on the micro >> as-its-happening level AND the macro social change level. my thought is >> that the signs might say "free speech / free listening" make it look like >> a street/traffic sign, play with making the free listening part in a font >> style that is an outline of the letters. add a verb if you must. whatever >> and as little as you can. but i think the combination of free speech/free >> listening might turn out to be some very robust and portable guidance. >> >> thank you! m >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Michael Herman >> Michael Herman Associates >> 312-280-7838 (mobile) >> >> http://MichaelHerman.com <http://michaelherman.com/> >> http://OpenSpaceWorld.org <http://openspaceworld.org/> >> >> >> On Thu, Mar 26, 2015 at 11:02 AM, Amanda Bucklow via OSList < >> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >> >>> This is just bloomin' fantastic and open space! >>> >>> Outrageously wonderful! Well done and do keep us posted on the >>> developments. >>> >>> Warm wishes >>> Amanda >>> >>> Amanda Bucklow >>> Independent Commercial Mediator >>> http://www.amandabucklow.co.uk >>> >>> On 26 Mar 2015, at 14:29, Lucas Cioffi via OSList < >>> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >>> >>> Hi All, >>> >>> This is cross-posted on the NCDD listserv, and I'm sharing it with the >>> OS List, because-- even though it's not about OST-- it's about opening >>> space, and I welcome your thoughts! >>> >>> I was partially inspired by Michael Herman's quote from four days ago: >>> >>>> "the other thing i do is never set out big circles in the breakout >>>> spaces. i set three chairs to mark each breakout space, with more chairs >>>> piled to the sides. the three chairs are pushed right together close, >>>> their front edges forming a closed triangle. set this way, they are >>>> impossible to use. the first person has to move them to whatever distance >>>> feels right to them. after three people come, everyone needs to move them >>>> to make room for others. in this way, i dictate nothing. they literally >>>> open the space at the center of each breakout group. i've done it this way >>>> every time since my first time, when i set big chairs and watched some >>>> small groups squirm in spaces that were too big for them." >>> >>> >>> I happen to live in Charlottesville, Virginia where a recent violent >>> arrest of a student and race-related protests have gotten some national >>> media attention. Over the past two days I tried an experiment in creating >>> pop-up civic space for dialogue. >>> >>> This is designed as an alternative to how Starbucks conducted its Race >>> Together initiative last week which has had mixed reviews. *I wrote up >>> my thoughts below and attached some photos so you can get a feel for the >>> experience.* >>> >>> My goals were to "bring dialogue to people" and to create a simple, >>> repeatable process that others might improve or replicate, even without >>> resources. >>> >>> This is not to detract from formal and well-resourced dialogue >>> programs. I believe there is also a vital need for public dialogue in the >>> margins like this when no resources are available. >>> >>> I'm wondering what your thoughts and suggestions are for improvement. >>> -- >>> Lucas Cioffi >>> Co-Founder, QiqoChat >>> Charlottesville, VA >>> 917-528-1831 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Note: The article and full size photos are here: >>> http://americantownhalls.org >>> >>> *The American Townhall on Anything* >>> Over the past few years, I've worked with a few volunteers to experiment >>> with different methods for having productive discussions on difficult >>> topics like politics. >>> >>> Our current effort is *The American Townhall on Anything*, a playful >>> yet important opportunity to connect with fellow Americans for meaningful >>> conversation. >>> >>> The goal for this experiment is to create "pop-up civic space" where >>> people can have productive political discussions. This effort is similar >>> to open source software; no one owns it, and anyone can build on it and >>> modify it to make it work for their community. >>> >>> There is no official organization making this happen. These are just >>> ideas that we hope will catch on, evolve, and adapt as they grow to have >>> greater impact. >>> >>> You are invited to take these ideas, improve them, and build on them. >>> Here's what we've learned so far: >>> >>> *Day 1, March 24th* >>> >>> With my dad visiting from out of town, I wanted to have some fun, meet >>> some people, and help him get the feel for the community. I've been >>> thinking about doing something like this for a few weeks now, and >>> (finally!) I had someone who would sit there with me so I don't look so >>> alone. Thanks, Pops! >>> >>> We took my four dining room chairs and walked them over to >>> Charlottesville's charming Downtown Pedestrian Mall. With some paper and >>> tape I put some signs on the back of the chairs such as the one you can >>> read above. >>> >>> Using indoor dining room chairs wasn't intentional (I didn't have any >>> other chairs), however they probably helped to catch people's attention >>> because they were both unusual and inviting. >>> >>> My father and I just started talking about topics that were important to >>> us. We had two open seats and people would read the signs and drop in to >>> join us for some conversation from time to time. >>> >>> Over the course of two hours, we met all types of great folks with >>> interesting stories to share. We talked about the weather. We talked >>> about race, religion, politics, and power. We connected in some surprising >>> and rewarding ways. >>> >>> One person walking by asked an intriguing question with a warm smile: >>> "Is this performance art?" My answer: "I don't know." Perhaps it is, or >>> perhaps it should be. I have to think about that. >>> >>> *Day 2, March 25th* >>> >>> On Day 2, I wanted to kick it up a notch. I wanted to bring our >>> traveling road show to the grounds of the University of Virginia where >>> there has been significant racial tension over the past week due to an >>> arrest outside a bar. >>> >>> We didn't go there to talk about any specific topic. We wanted to just >>> "open some space" and see what people wanted to talk about. This was an >>> experiment to test how students and university staff would react to an >>> opportunity to exercise their right to free speech. >>> >>> I was anxious, because I didn't know how this would be received. After >>> all, these are strangers sitting down to have some potentially difficult >>> conversations. I didn't want to create a space where someone would feel >>> uncomfortable, misunderstood, or disrespected. Fortunately everyone felt >>> comfortable, and we had some great conversations. >>> >>> We didn't state any ground rules. People simply defaulted to being >>> humane. Perhaps there should be ground rules. I don't know. >>> >>> On this second day, we were more effective in communicating what was >>> happening; we posted small paper signs 50 feet out in both directions >>> along the main walking path so that people had more time to understand what >>> was going on and that that they were absolutely invited to join the >>> conversation. Our simple handwritten signs were in color and said "FREE >>> SPEECH - Talk about anything." >>> >>> Sometimes when people would walk by, we would ask them jokingly, "Are >>> you here for the free speech?" People got a laugh out of that. >>> >>> Students were curious. The chairs filled up quickly. Several other >>> students took photographs and we heard some very positive comments as >>> people were passing by: "Great idea!" and "I'm headed to class, but how >>> long are you hear today?" and "Are you going to be here tomorrow too?" >>> >>> After 30 minutes, it started raining, so we packed up and went home. >>> All in all, we were able to quickly validate our hypothesis that people >>> would be receptive to this type of experiment on a college campus. >>> >>> I wanted to see whether the students would move the discussion to some >>> difficult topics on their own, but the rain cut us short. Given what I saw >>> today and given my experience participating in a formal >>> student-faculty-community dialogue programs at UVA last year, I expect all >>> participants would have dealt with difficult topics in a respectful and >>> productive way if they came up. >>> >>> *Next Steps* >>> >>> This was energizing and fun, and I'm not quite sure what happens next. >>> >>> I'm active in some online communities of dialogue facilitators, so I'm >>> going to share this story with some friends in the National Coalition for >>> Dialogue and Deliberation and elsewhere to see what they think. >>> >>> Given that the new Starbucks "Race Together" dialogue initiative has had >>> mixed results (many people did not want dialogue forced upon them), I'd >>> also like to (delicately) try a modified version of this inside experiment >>> a Starbucks. >>> >>> If I try something in a Starbucks over the next few days, it will be >>> very different-- it would be just a sign-- a silent invitation-- and people >>> can choose to sit down and join the conversation if they'd like. >>> >>> *What do you think?* >>> >>> Where do we go from here? Well, if I/you/we can create a simple, >>> repeatable process for opening "pop-up civic space" like this, then others >>> might do the same, and we might all surprise ourselves with what is >>> possible. There is certainly a need for more productive dialogue in >>> our country. >>> >>> Please do get in touch: he...@americantownhalls.org >>> >>> <Screen Shot 2015-03-26 at 12.50.09 AM.png> >>> >>> <Screen Shot 2015-03-26 at 12.50.34 AM.png> >>> >>> <Screen Shot 2015-03-26 at 12.50.41 AM.png> >>> >>> <Screen Shot 2015-03-26 at 12.50.51 AM.png> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> 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/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> 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/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org >>> >>> >> >> > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list > To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org > To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org > 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/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list > To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org > To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org > 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/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org > > -- *Skye Hirst, PhD* President - The Autognomics Institute *Conversations in Radical Self-Knowing* www.autognomics.org @autognomics New Phone Number: 207-593-8074
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