I’m preparing to teach at an Art of Hosting gathering in Nova Scotia in a few weeks and as part of the conversations on design, we have been talking a little about what is required in order to confidently step into chaotic and unknown spaces. This morning, my friend and other co-host Toke Paludan Moeller sent a short poem from an Aikido master that sums it up nicely: When you step up, claim the mat as your own. Everybody you encounter and everything that happens is there by your invitation and your invitation alone, even the unexpected ones. Your job …
From whiskey river today: The Artist’s Duty So it is the duty of the artist to discourage all traces of shame To extend all boundaries To fog them in right over the plate To kill only what is ridiculous To establish problem To ignore solutions To listen to no one To omit nothing To contradict everything To generate the free brain To bear no cross To take part in no crucifixion To tinkle a warning when mankind strays To explode upon all parties To wound deeper than the soldier To heal this poor obstinate monkey once and for all To …
I have just finished posting a collection of 21 stories of Open Space events I have facilitated over the past 6 years. Most of these stories are about community-based events in Aboriginal communities here in Canada, but I believe they have lessons about the practice of Open Space that are more widely applicable in different settings and for unconferences too. I hope you may find the collection useful. [tags]unconference[/tags]
Finn Voldtofte and friends are convening an interesting looking gathering in Denmark at the end of October called “Moving the Edge.” This gathering is intended to support the emergence of a field of collective intelligence, where the practices, insights, principles, etc., of collective intelligence can be evolved. In addition we intend to create space for engaging the field of collective intelligence for deepening inquiries into core questions within specific areas. We envision that the following areas will attract the interest of many participants: – The possible roles of business as seen from an evolutionary perspective – …
Blogging live from an Open Space at the University of British Columbia. It’s a beautiful day here on Point Grey in Vancouver and most of the groups are working outside. With a garden and a view like that, who could blame them? More photos here.