Empathy List Archives

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Diana Larsen

Wed, Oct 8, 2025 9:37 PM

The discussion of moving away from “pure”/User Guide version of OST vs evolving OST, reminds me of the time a person wrote to the list with a dilemma. She was in Tahrir Square where a number of different common interest groups had gathered in mutual aid. She thought it looked like self-organizing in Open Space, but no one had declared that it was an OST event. Harrison responded that she had identified the fifth principle that had been missing from the first four. He said, “Wherever it happens is the right place.” Upon this discussion, I and others began adding it to our lists for opening the space. Wherever the venue, whatever the breakout space, etc., Wherever it happens is the right place.

As a short anecdote, a few years ago I facilitated an international Open Space time at a conference in Copenhagen. I introduced the principles and told the story of how place/where came to be included, along with who, when, and what. At the end of the event, a young man came up to me with tears in his eyes. He thanked me for mentioning Tahrir Square and said that he had been present there. He said that until that day in the Open Space event, he had not known that anyone else in the world was aware of what happened there. He was touched that someone knew and acknowledged its importance.

After that, I’ve made it my business (nosy me!), when I attend Open Space events to let the facilitator know about the fifth principle if they haven’t included it. And I let them know that it emerged via this list/forum. And that they can join it if they’d like.

I also want to share one of the ways that the principles themselves have shown up, as seen through the eyes and creative thinking of GenZ & Millenial organizers. I hope you enjoy these photos from the Agile Coach Camp -Germany 2025. FWIW, OST is alive, thriving, and spreading throughout the software world, both in Agile spaces and elsewhere.

Onward,
Diana

Diana Larsen
dianalarsen.com https://dianalarsen.com/subscribe
Stay in touch, read our newsletter.

On Oct 5, 2025, at 7:22 PM, Peggy Holman via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:

Thank you for your question John. And your clarity, Chris. The questions I am asking aren’t about OST but about whether there’s still energy for the continuation of this listserv form of OST community. In the spirit of the principles, is it over?

First, a word about the continuity of Open Space. As Michael Herman reminds us periodically, Harrison has said something along the lines that because Open Space is always present, there will come a time when the name is forgotten but the spirit of it remains. I was on a Zoom call the other day and the woman hosting it used the phrase “use your two feet” to describe the freedom to move between Zoom breakout rooms. I smiled to myself because I suspected she had never heard of Open Space and had no idea about the origins of the phrase.

In terms of this OST community, I hope the reflections we are doing now provide some insight into what, if anything, is needed now. I recall in the early days we talked about this space as a place for mutual support and connection, mentoring and being mentored, learning and research. Harrison used to say that Open Space Technology was free for the taking. The only responsibility was to share what you learn. (I’ve put one of his messages about this below.)

Something I learned early on was that a large part of the life of this list and of WOSonOS was having new people show up and bring their questions. Sometimes they were questions no one had thought about before. Other times the questions were old friends and provided opportunities to discover something new in them in a different time and place. Either way, they nourished us and helped us grow individually and together.

I have a sense, particularly with Harrison’s passing, that we are at a time of generational shift where asking "is it over?" helps to renew or revise our sense of purpose. Or to call it done.

All that is to say, I’d love to hear thoughts from those who are on this list and have never or rarely posted. What brings you here? What makes it worth your while? And for those who have been around a while, perhaps it is the same questions…what keeps you here? What makes it worth your while?

With gratitude to all for this community-wide reflection.

Peggy

From Harrison on this listserv, 5/9/09

Open Space is free. Which is not to say consultants aren't
worthy of compensation -- they are, and I am very thankful for that :-)

However, from the very beginning Open Space Technology has been free for the
taking. I never made any attempt to patent, trademark, or franchise OST. The
reasons were partially self-interest and partially altruism. On the self
interest side, it was clear to me that had I done any of the above I would
have spent all my time defending the patent/trademark/franchise. And
truthfully, I all I really wanted to do was open space -- in my life and in
the lives of those around me. On the altruism side, it always seemed to me
that Open Space was the birthright of every citizen of planet earth. Right
up there with Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness comes having
sufficient Open Space to do all three.

So Open Space has been free ever since. But there is a cost for freedom --
That we share freely what we have all learned. Such sharing is the nature of
this wonderful OSLIST, and it is the earmark of every OSONOS. The fact that
some people (myself included) run "training programs" in Open Space for a
fee, might seem a little out of whack. But then again I have rather weird
sense of humor. I have always felt (and said) that anybody with a good head
and a good heart can "do" Open Space, although it may well take you a life
time to do it well. However if you want to pay to learn how, I am quite
happy to take your money.

On Oct 5, 2025, at 10:52 PM, Chris Corrigan via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:

Thank you all for this conversation. I’m listening with interest and consideration.

John I agree with you. A community needs effort and energy to maintain its continuity. Sometimes communities come and go in one generation. Other times they survive over multiple generations, as this one has over the past 40 years or so. And is Michael has said sometimes they just fade away.

To my mind it is important to distinguish between Open Space Technology and the community of open space technology practitioners. OST is, as Funda noted, probably a lot more well-known than any of us might believe. And at any rate, the user guide exists, is widely available, and there are dozens and probably hundreds of websites where people discuss and share their insights about the method. I have no worries that OST, the method, is going anywhere except into the shared and diffuse common knowledge of human communities, much like brainstorming and creating to do lists, both of which were probably novel ways of organizing human work at one point, but now are just every day techniques. At any rate, I feel that it is easy now for anybody who wants to, to discover OST and use it.

For me, that’s where I choose to put most of my energy with respect to this method. This community has been incredibly valuable in my own learning and growth over many decades, and out of reciprocity I have shared everything I know about OST with anybody who wants it, and will continue to do so. I think communities of practice are important and I’m happy to be a quieter member these days of this one, but I appreciate the time and effort that people are putting in to the enterprise of keeping practitioners connected as they learn about how to use this method.

Like Harrison told me the last time we spoke, keep telling the story.

Chris.

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 5, 2025, at 8:09 AM, John Warinner via OSList everyone@oslist.org wrote:

Hi Julius -

Responding to the first questions you posed to me:

Since your question is (in my ears) an expression of deep care and gratitude, what moves you about it?

What moves me about OST is that I have witnessed its potency for catalyzing and/or liberating Hope in situations where Hope was significantly waning.

But what also moves me about it is that the practice was given a name… and many people have committed their life work to packaging the practice for global awareness, understanding and adoption.

If the practice of OST was only the “natural principles” on which it is based, there would be nothing to discuss, because human attention and intention and collaboration are not needed to sustain the laws of Nature.

But the named and described practice of OST is more than just the underlying principles. It is an organized package of the principles constructed to catalyze and facilitate practical application of the principles.

Does the OST community need our applied effort to keep something valuable from disintegrating?

Based on the opening remarks provided by Thomas, it appears to me that YES it does.

I’m asking this community if they share this perception and interpretation… and if they do, do they value OST enough to provide the attention and effort needed to nourish and sustain OST.

Thank you,

John

John Warinner
(541) 815-4103
johnwarinner@gmail.com <> mailto:johnw@watersolving.com

On Fri, Oct 3, 2025 at 10:28 AM Michael Herman via OSList <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

What moved me most is hearing your voice on this list. Too often of late it has felt like an echo chamber to me. You bring a fresh perspective I have longed for!

Yes to this! (Peggy) Yes to questions! (Julius)

And this (Julius)...

I believe in this: Don't build an institution. Be one!
Anyone can. By finding their core and living it out fully. It's the biggest gift to the community one could make. <3

--

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
312-280-7838 (mobile)

MichaelHerman.com http://michaelherman.com/
OpenSpaceWorld.org http://openspaceworld.org/

On Fri, Oct 3, 2025 at 9:44 AM Peggy Holman via OSList <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Dear Julius,

Thank you for your thoughtful, wise message filled with great questions!

What moved me most is hearing your voice on this list. Too often of late it has felt like an echo chamber to me. You bring a fresh perspective I have longed for!

I still see bringing a question about what would serve now? to WOSonOS as useful. I’d love for its framing to come out of the reflections we are all sharing now.

For now, I’m just doing my best to listen…

Peggy Holman
Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 3, 2025, at 8:24 AM, Julius Tacha via OSList <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

Hello dear OpenSpaceniks,

I only check the OSList emails sporadically and pretty much at random -- just to see what the talk of the town is, so to say. But when I do, I enjoy it profoundly. :)

Since I won't be in Kenya (maybe if there is a chance to join virtually), I decided to write down what is alive in me right now.
Please forgive that I might not be as powerfully concise as many others here. :)

~ - ~ - ~

Thank you to those who invite, those who host and those who do the harvesting and sharing of takeaways with all of us! It is deeply appreciated. <3
It's like being gifted with so many gems. :)

When reading Thomas's summary and the exchange around it, a lot of tender and warm feelings came up within me. There is so much passion here in this global village, so much willingness to uphold the values of intentionality, of thoughtfulness, of playfulness, of deep listening and of the freedom to just be! It has often been said how intensely needed these are in our world right now. And I couldn't agree more!

There is also a sense of disheartedness or insecurity around the future of Open Space in the summary and some emails I read.

I had to think of the exchange we had on youth and communication platforms in February (check Peggy's email of Feb 8th '25 and the ensuing discussion). Since the theme of generational transitions seems to still be present, I wanted to share a bit more of my personal resonance as a member of the "younger generation".

Even if I can't contribute much else than my mirroring and my perspective - and even that only seldomly - my deep wish is to assure you that the fire keeps on burning!

It might not be visible here in the list, but I do see a new "dynamism" (don't know what to call it yet) of Open Space practice emerging here in Austria. Not in the sense of institutional hand-over and not with direct transmission of experience from seasoned conveners to novice ones, but rather more like dispersed offshoots. Like people remembering Open Space as a thing they once did or heard positively of. Then coming back to it, experimenting with it, integrating it in what they do, and slowly and self-directedly unlearning the old paradigm of planning, controlling & managing along the way.

But, if at all, these sprouts take time to become visible.
And people are not so invested in Open Space as a format/practice/tool, that they would join an email list (or any other platform) for it right away or make OS their work's focus. Yet it keeps popping up in my surroundings and I see a gentle traction forming around it.
So, do I believe that the core, the heart, of Open Space -- empowerment, liberation, community care and co-creation through trust in self-organization -- is still alive? Oh, yes I do! And do I think, that it is also specifically found in the format and practice of "Open Space", i.e. under that label, by people? Yes I do.

(Just as one anecdotal case in point around the appeal to younger people: it was with the Austrian National Youth Association that I first came in contact with OS. And there are many more encouraging little examples.)

Of course this is just one way of telling the story, and with the same experiences someone else might tell a different story.
For my part, I enjoy telling stories of hope and potential. :)

So I take the reflections and concerns around OS (not) resonating with younger generations (as described in Peggy's email and the Reporting back summary) as a question around the "quality of togetherness" here in this list and the OSonOS community, rather than on the "continuity of practice" at large. :)

~ - ~ - ~

For those of you, who are not yet oversaturated reading (I know, I tend to be lengthy and meandering) some concrete aspects, that I want to reflect back/am genuinely curious about:

On cross-generationally sharing space
Role of elders was discussed. Appreciation of their presence, dignity [...]
Mmhh, it can be really painful when one's lifelong experience or the contribution of decades, when all that which went into it, goes unnoticed or is dismissed. We all have a need to be seen and to feel, that what we contribute and even more who and how we are, matters.

So, for those who identify with the elder's role: what would you hope to experience in order to feel truly seen? What would you need, in order to experience your presence as truly valuable in intergenerational settings? What would you be relieved to know, in order to sense that the fruits of your work are treated with care?
Difficult for younger people to enter and engage.
Have you had experiences, where younger people joined the orbit of OSList, WOSonOS etc or local equivalents, but they didn't stay for long? Or expressed interest but then didn't engage?

(This is close to Funda's point in February I believe. And one on diversity in general.)

Have you asked them why?
(I am with Ian here, who suggested just that.)

I am deeply convinced, that any young person would love to tell their story, to be listenend to and to share their hopes, dreams and concerns to someone who is genuinely interested and without an agenda. :)

Or are there other observations that led you to the conclusion about barriers for young people?

On the state of the OSList community
Email lists feel outdated (we have had that discussion and there are certainly other channels available and free to develop)
I feel Michael summed it up poignantly!
Whatever the numbers: Whoever is here is the right people.
"Poof!" sooner or "Poof!" later: Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.

And I really, really want to draw attention to what Marai wrote! It inspired and encouraged me to look deeper into my own habits.

"for 26 years, in many respective ways, I had entered the business world in order to bring what I saw missing there.
With a recurring sense of failure [...]

My „hot off the press" realisation is that I am turning the energy flow around. 💫
Instead of „bringing" something, I „invite" towards me, towards what I know is possible, what I embody."

I deeply believe, that any decision to move the "digital campfire"/"virtual bulletin board & marketplace", should not come out of an energy of reaching new audiences, but only out of an inner sense of knowing, coherence, intrinsic desire. The rest will follow.

When the group is ready, the solution will appear.

And don't forget (as Harold has called out once, or maybe more often, in more detail): as we are living in an age of surveillance capitalism and technofeudalism, independence from closed-off, intransparent, self-interested platforms is crucial. Independence is a way to protect the integrity and self-determination of the community.
Let's not give this up easily!

On stewardship and continuity

John shared his living question with us:
Do some members of this community feel, and take responsibility for the feeling, that OST must be sustained as a distinct cultural practice?
Hmmm, maybe. I wouldn't put it off immediately. But I don't know.

Let me turn the question around, back to you, John. Rather than: what is the essence of OS, is it a distinct cultural practice and does it need our applied effort to keep something valuable from disintegrating? More like, what is at the heart of stewardship for you? What would you want to pass on? Since your question is (in my ears) an expression of deep care and gratitude, what moves you about it?

And what are the instances where you find beauty in steadiness and continuity? How would this beauty of stewardship materialize itself? What would you be happy to put out into the world for the next decades, regardless of whether it is many, just one or even none who show up?
What kind of ressource do you want to be? What kind of support or ressource would you need from others to do that? What would you long for from those with decades of experience and those with fresh eyes?

I believe in this: Don't build an institution. Be one!
Anyone can. By finding their core and living it out fully. It's the biggest gift to the community one could make. <3

~ - ~ - ~

Deep gratitude to those who kept reading until now. 🙏

Maybe this is a bit too much for one thread. But anyways, I am super curious how this lands and how it will play itself out. :)

Love and peace,

Julius OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org
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The discussion of moving away from “pure”/User Guide version of OST vs evolving OST, reminds me of the time a person wrote to the list with a dilemma. She was in Tahrir Square where a number of different common interest groups had gathered in mutual aid. She thought it looked like self-organizing in Open Space, but no one had declared that it was an OST event. Harrison responded that she had identified the fifth principle that had been missing from the first four. He said, “Wherever it happens is the right place.” Upon this discussion, I and others began adding it to our lists for opening the space. Wherever the venue, whatever the breakout space, etc., Wherever it happens is the right place. As a short anecdote, a few years ago I facilitated an international Open Space time at a conference in Copenhagen. I introduced the principles and told the story of how place/where came to be included, along with who, when, and what. At the end of the event, a young man came up to me with tears in his eyes. He thanked me for mentioning Tahrir Square and said that he had been present there. He said that until that day in the Open Space event, he had not known that anyone else in the world was aware of what happened there. He was touched that someone knew and acknowledged its importance. After that, I’ve made it my business (nosy me!), when I attend Open Space events to let the facilitator know about the fifth principle if they haven’t included it. And I let them know that it emerged via this list/forum. And that they can join it if they’d like. I also want to share one of the ways that the principles themselves have shown up, as seen through the eyes and creative thinking of GenZ & Millenial organizers. I hope you enjoy these photos from the Agile Coach Camp -Germany 2025. FWIW, OST is alive, thriving, and spreading throughout the software world, both in Agile spaces and elsewhere. Onward, Diana Diana Larsen dianalarsen.com <https://dianalarsen.com/subscribe> Stay in touch, read our newsletter. > On Oct 5, 2025, at 7:22 PM, Peggy Holman via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: > > Thank you for your question John. And your clarity, Chris. The questions I am asking aren’t about OST but about whether there’s still energy for the continuation of this listserv form of OST community. In the spirit of the principles, is it over? > > First, a word about the continuity of Open Space. As Michael Herman reminds us periodically, Harrison has said something along the lines that because Open Space is always present, there will come a time when the name is forgotten but the spirit of it remains. I was on a Zoom call the other day and the woman hosting it used the phrase “use your two feet” to describe the freedom to move between Zoom breakout rooms. I smiled to myself because I suspected she had never heard of Open Space and had no idea about the origins of the phrase. > > In terms of this OST community, I hope the reflections we are doing now provide some insight into what, if anything, is needed now. I recall in the early days we talked about this space as a place for mutual support and connection, mentoring and being mentored, learning and research. Harrison used to say that Open Space Technology was free for the taking. The only responsibility was to share what you learn. (I’ve put one of his messages about this below.) > > Something I learned early on was that a large part of the life of this list and of WOSonOS was having new people show up and bring their questions. Sometimes they were questions no one had thought about before. Other times the questions were old friends and provided opportunities to discover something new in them in a different time and place. Either way, they nourished us and helped us grow individually and together. > > I have a sense, particularly with Harrison’s passing, that we are at a time of generational shift where asking "is it over?" helps to renew or revise our sense of purpose. Or to call it done. > > All that is to say, I’d love to hear thoughts from those who are on this list and have never or rarely posted. What brings you here? What makes it worth your while? And for those who have been around a while, perhaps it is the same questions…what keeps you here? What makes it worth your while? > > With gratitude to all for this community-wide reflection. > > Peggy > > *** > > From Harrison on this listserv, 5/9/09 > > Open Space is free. Which is not to say consultants aren't > worthy of compensation -- they are, and I am very thankful for that :-) > > However, from the very beginning Open Space Technology has been free for the > taking. I never made any attempt to patent, trademark, or franchise OST. The > reasons were partially self-interest and partially altruism. On the self > interest side, it was clear to me that had I done any of the above I would > have spent all my time defending the patent/trademark/franchise. And > truthfully, I all I really wanted to do was open space -- in my life and in > the lives of those around me. On the altruism side, it always seemed to me > that Open Space was the birthright of every citizen of planet earth. Right > up there with Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness comes having > sufficient Open Space to do all three. > > So Open Space has been free ever since. But there is a cost for freedom -- > That we share freely what we have all learned. Such sharing is the nature of > this wonderful OSLIST, and it is the earmark of every OSONOS. The fact that > some people (myself included) run "training programs" in Open Space for a > fee, might seem a little out of whack. But then again I have rather weird > sense of humor. I have always felt (and said) that anybody with a good head > and a good heart can "do" Open Space, although it may well take you a life > time to do it well. However if you want to pay to learn how, I am quite > happy to take your money. > > > > >> On Oct 5, 2025, at 10:52 PM, Chris Corrigan via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: >> >> Thank you all for this conversation. I’m listening with interest and consideration. >> >> John I agree with you. A community needs effort and energy to maintain its continuity. Sometimes communities come and go in one generation. Other times they survive over multiple generations, as this one has over the past 40 years or so. And is Michael has said sometimes they just fade away. >> >> To my mind it is important to distinguish between Open Space Technology and the community of open space technology practitioners. OST is, as Funda noted, probably a lot more well-known than any of us might believe. And at any rate, the user guide exists, is widely available, and there are dozens and probably hundreds of websites where people discuss and share their insights about the method. I have no worries that OST, the method, is going anywhere except into the shared and diffuse common knowledge of human communities, much like brainstorming and creating to do lists, both of which were probably novel ways of organizing human work at one point, but now are just every day techniques. At any rate, I feel that it is easy now for anybody who wants to, to discover OST and use it. >> >> For me, that’s where I choose to put most of my energy with respect to this method. This community has been incredibly valuable in my own learning and growth over many decades, and out of reciprocity I have shared everything I know about OST with anybody who wants it, and will continue to do so. I think communities of practice are important and I’m happy to be a quieter member these days of this one, but I appreciate the time and effort that people are putting in to the enterprise of keeping practitioners connected as they learn about how to use this method. >> >> Like Harrison told me the last time we spoke, keep telling the story. >> >> Chris. >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >>> On Oct 5, 2025, at 8:09 AM, John Warinner via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote: >>> >>> >>> Hi Julius - >>> >>> Responding to the first questions you posed to me: >>> >>> >>> >>> Since your question is (in my ears) an expression of deep care and gratitude, what moves you about it? >>> >>> What moves me about OST is that I have witnessed its potency for catalyzing and/or liberating Hope in situations where Hope was significantly waning. >>> >>> But what also moves me about it is that the practice was given a name… and many people have committed their life work to packaging the practice for global awareness, understanding and adoption. >>> >>> If the practice of OST was only the “natural principles” on which it is based, there would be nothing to discuss, because human attention and intention and collaboration are not needed to sustain the laws of Nature. >>> >>> But the named and described practice of OST is more than just the underlying principles. It is an organized package of the principles constructed to catalyze and facilitate practical application of the principles. >>> >>> >>> >>> Does the OST community need our applied effort to keep something valuable from disintegrating? >>> >>> Based on the opening remarks provided by Thomas, it appears to me that YES it does. >>> >>> I’m asking this community if they share this perception and interpretation… and if they do, do they value OST enough to provide the attention and effort needed to nourish and sustain OST. >>> >>> >>> >>> Thank you, >>> >>> John >>> >>> >>> John Warinner >>> (541) 815-4103 >>> johnwarinner@gmail.com <> <mailto:johnw@watersolving.com> >>> >>> >>> On Fri, Oct 3, 2025 at 10:28 AM Michael Herman via OSList <everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org>> wrote: >>>>> What moved me most is hearing your voice on this list. Too often of late it has felt like an echo chamber to me. You bring a fresh perspective I have longed for! >>>> >>>> Yes to this! (Peggy) Yes to questions! (Julius) >>>> >>>> And this (Julius)... >>>> >>>>> I believe in this: Don't build an institution. Be one! >>>>> Anyone can. By finding their core and living it out fully. It's the biggest gift to the community one could make. <3 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> >>>> Michael Herman >>>> Michael Herman Associates >>>> 312-280-7838 (mobile) >>>> >>>> MichaelHerman.com <http://michaelherman.com/> >>>> OpenSpaceWorld.org <http://openspaceworld.org/> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Oct 3, 2025 at 9:44 AM Peggy Holman via OSList <everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org>> wrote: >>>>> Dear Julius, >>>>> >>>>> Thank you for your thoughtful, wise message filled with great questions! >>>>> >>>>> What moved me most is hearing your voice on this list. Too often of late it has felt like an echo chamber to me. You bring a fresh perspective I have longed for! >>>>> >>>>> I still see bringing a question about what would serve now? to WOSonOS as useful. I’d love for its framing to come out of the reflections we are all sharing now. >>>>> >>>>> For now, I’m just doing my best to listen… >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Peggy Holman >>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>> >>>>>> On Oct 3, 2025, at 8:24 AM, Julius Tacha via OSList <everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Hello dear OpenSpaceniks, >>>>>> >>>>>> I only check the OSList emails sporadically and pretty much at random -- just to see what the talk of the town is, so to say. But when I do, I enjoy it profoundly. :) >>>>>> >>>>>> Since I won't be in Kenya (maybe if there is a chance to join virtually), I decided to write down what is alive in me right now. >>>>>> Please forgive that I might not be as powerfully concise as many others here. :) >>>>>> >>>>>> - ~ - ~ - ~ >>>>>> >>>>>> Thank you to those who invite, those who host and those who do the harvesting and sharing of takeaways with all of us! It is deeply appreciated. <3 >>>>>> It's like being gifted with so many gems. :) >>>>>> >>>>>> When reading Thomas's summary and the exchange around it, a lot of tender and warm feelings came up within me. There is so much passion here in this global village, so much willingness to uphold the values of intentionality, of thoughtfulness, of playfulness, of deep listening and of the freedom to just be! It has often been said how intensely needed these are in our world right now. And I couldn't agree more! >>>>>> >>>>>> There is also a sense of disheartedness or insecurity around the future of Open Space in the summary and some emails I read. >>>>>> >>>>>> I had to think of the exchange we had on youth and communication platforms in February (check Peggy's email of Feb 8th '25 and the ensuing discussion). Since the theme of generational transitions seems to still be present, I wanted to share a bit more of my personal resonance as a member of the "younger generation". >>>>>> >>>>>> Even if I can't contribute much else than my mirroring and my perspective - and even that only seldomly - my deep wish is to assure you that the fire keeps on burning! >>>>>> >>>>>> It might not be visible here in the list, but I do see a new "dynamism" (don't know what to call it yet) of Open Space practice emerging here in Austria. Not in the sense of institutional hand-over and not with direct transmission of experience from seasoned conveners to novice ones, but rather more like dispersed offshoots. Like people remembering Open Space as a thing they once did or heard positively of. Then coming back to it, experimenting with it, integrating it in what they do, and slowly and self-directedly unlearning the old paradigm of planning, controlling & managing along the way. >>>>>> >>>>>> But, if at all, these sprouts take time to become visible. >>>>>> And people are not so invested in Open Space as a format/practice/tool, that they would join an email list (or any other platform) for it right away or make OS their work's focus. Yet it keeps popping up in my surroundings and I see a gentle traction forming around it. >>>>>> So, do I believe that the core, the heart, of Open Space -- empowerment, liberation, community care and co-creation through trust in self-organization -- is still alive? Oh, yes I do! And do I think, that it is also specifically found in the format and practice of "Open Space", i.e. under that label, by people? Yes I do. >>>>>> >>>>>> (Just as one anecdotal case in point around the appeal to younger people: it was with the Austrian National Youth Association that I first came in contact with OS. And there are many more encouraging little examples.) >>>>>> >>>>>> Of course this is just one way of telling the story, and with the same experiences someone else might tell a different story. >>>>>> For my part, I enjoy telling stories of hope and potential. :) >>>>>> >>>>>> So I take the reflections and concerns around OS (not) resonating with younger generations (as described in Peggy's email and the Reporting back summary) as a question around the "quality of togetherness" here in this list and the OSonOS community, rather than on the "continuity of practice" at large. :) >>>>>> >>>>>> - ~ - ~ - ~ >>>>>> >>>>>> For those of you, who are not yet oversaturated reading (I know, I tend to be lengthy and meandering) some concrete aspects, that I want to reflect back/am genuinely curious about: >>>>>> >>>>>> On cross-generationally sharing space >>>>>> Role of elders was discussed. Appreciation of their presence, dignity [...] >>>>>> Mmhh, it can be really painful when one's lifelong experience or the contribution of decades, when all that which went into it, goes unnoticed or is dismissed. We all have a need to be seen and to feel, that what we contribute and even more who and how we are, matters. >>>>>> >>>>>> So, for those who identify with the elder's role: what would you hope to experience in order to feel truly seen? What would you need, in order to experience your presence as truly valuable in intergenerational settings? What would you be relieved to know, in order to sense that the fruits of your work are treated with care? >>>>>> Difficult for younger people to enter and engage. >>>>>> Have you had experiences, where younger people joined the orbit of OSList, WOSonOS etc or local equivalents, but they didn't stay for long? Or expressed interest but then didn't engage? >>>>>> >>>>>> (This is close to Funda's point in February I believe. And one on diversity in general.) >>>>>> >>>>>> Have you asked them why? >>>>>> (I am with Ian here, who suggested just that.) >>>>>> >>>>>> I am deeply convinced, that any young person would love to tell their story, to be listenend to and to share their hopes, dreams and concerns to someone who is genuinely interested and without an agenda. :) >>>>>> >>>>>> Or are there other observations that led you to the conclusion about barriers for young people? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On the state of the OSList community >>>>>> Email lists feel outdated (we have had that discussion and there are certainly other channels available and free to develop) >>>>>> I feel Michael summed it up poignantly! >>>>>> Whatever the numbers: Whoever is here is the right people. >>>>>> "Poof!" sooner or "Poof!" later: Whatever happens is the only thing that could have. >>>>>> >>>>>> And I really, really want to draw attention to what Marai wrote! It inspired and encouraged me to look deeper into my own habits. >>>>>> >>>>>> "for 26 years, in many respective ways, I had entered the business world in order to bring what I saw missing there. >>>>>> With a recurring sense of failure [...] >>>>>> >>>>>> My „hot off the press" realisation is that I am turning the energy flow around. 💫 >>>>>> Instead of „bringing" something, I „invite" towards me, towards what I know is possible, what I embody." >>>>>> >>>>>> I deeply believe, that any decision to move the "digital campfire"/"virtual bulletin board & marketplace", should not come out of an energy of reaching new audiences, but only out of an inner sense of knowing, coherence, intrinsic desire. The rest will follow. >>>>>> >>>>>> When the group is ready, the solution will appear. >>>>>> >>>>>> And don't forget (as Harold has called out once, or maybe more often, in more detail): as we are living in an age of surveillance capitalism and technofeudalism, independence from closed-off, intransparent, self-interested platforms is crucial. Independence is a way to protect the integrity and self-determination of the community. >>>>>> Let's not give this up easily! >>>>>> >>>>>> On stewardship and continuity >>>>>> >>>>>> John shared his living question with us: >>>>>> Do some members of this community feel, and take responsibility for the feeling, that OST must be sustained as a distinct cultural practice? >>>>>> Hmmm, maybe. I wouldn't put it off immediately. But I don't know. >>>>>> >>>>>> Let me turn the question around, back to you, John. Rather than: what is the essence of OS, is it a distinct cultural practice and does it need our applied effort to keep something valuable from disintegrating? More like, what is at the heart of stewardship for you? What would you want to pass on? Since your question is (in my ears) an expression of deep care and gratitude, what moves you about it? >>>>>> >>>>>> And what are the instances where you find beauty in steadiness and continuity? How would this beauty of stewardship materialize itself? What would you be happy to put out into the world for the next decades, regardless of whether it is many, just one or even none who show up? >>>>>> What kind of ressource do you want to be? What kind of support or ressource would you need from others to do that? What would you long for from those with decades of experience and those with fresh eyes? >>>>>> >>>>>> I believe in this: Don't build an institution. Be one! >>>>>> Anyone can. By finding their core and living it out fully. It's the biggest gift to the community one could make. <3 >>>>>> >>>>>> - ~ - ~ - ~ >>>>>> >>>>>> Deep gratitude to those who kept reading until now. 🙏 >>>>>> >>>>>> Maybe this is a bit too much for one thread. But anyways, I am super curious how this lands and how it will play itself out. :) >>>>>> >>>>>> Love and peace, >>>>>> >>>>>> Julius OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org> >>>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org <mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org> >>>>>> See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >>>>> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org> >>>>> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org <mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org> >>>>> See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >>>> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org <mailto:everyone@oslist.org> >>>> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org <mailto:everyone-leave@oslist.org> >>>> See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >>> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >>> See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org >> OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org >> See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org > > OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

TH

Thomas Herrmann

Wed, Oct 8, 2025 9:50 PM

Thanks for your stories Diana and those lovely drawings!!!!
Thomas

Skickat från Outlook för iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef

Från: Diana Larsen via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Skickat: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 11:37:08 PM
Till: Open Space Listserv everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: [OSList] Re: Generations, Dis/Continuity and a Community in the midst of Change

The discussion of moving away from “pure”/User Guide version of OST vs evolving OST, reminds me of the time a person wrote to the list with a dilemma. She was in Tahrir Square where a number of different common interest groups had gathered in mutual aid. She thought it looked like self-organizing in Open Space, but no one had declared that it was an OST event. Harrison responded that she had identified the fifth principle that had been missing from the first four. He said, “Wherever it happens is the right place.” Upon this discussion, I and others began adding it to our lists for opening the space. Wherever the venue, whatever the breakout space, etc., Wherever it happens is the right place.

As a short anecdote, a few years ago I facilitated an international Open Space time at a conference in Copenhagen. I introduced the principles and told the story of how place/where came to be included, along with who, when, and what. At the end of the event, a young man came up to me with tears in his eyes. He thanked me for mentioning Tahrir Square and said that he had been present there. He said that until that day in the Open Space event, he had not known that anyone else in the world was aware of what happened there. He was touched that someone knew and acknowledged its importance.

After that, I’ve made it my business (nosy me!), when I attend Open Space events to let the facilitator know about the fifth principle if they haven’t included it. And I let them know that it emerged via this list/forum. And that they can join it if they’d like.

I also want to share one of the ways that the principles themselves have shown up, as seen through the eyes and creative thinking of GenZ & Millenial organizers. I hope you enjoy these photos from the Agile Coach Camp -Germany 2025. FWIW, OST is alive, thriving, and spreading throughout the software world, both in Agile spaces and elsewhere.

Onward,
Diana

Diana Larsen
dianalarsen.comhttps://dianalarsen.com/subscribe
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