FootprintsintheWind.com

What if the talent show got down to the top 4 or 5 contestants and then we worked out a way to fairly share the Million Dollar prize among them? All are clearly winners—why would we want to deliberately choose to turn 75% of them into losers?

:- Doug.

Get as far from a show as possible.

That is more profound than it seems. Political decisions are presented just that way: a show. Making winners and losers.

We have created so many losers when we have approached public process this way. That’s why people scream and shout and come near violence—guess what’s next?

So what if we really engaged each other and worked on solving the questions, one step at a time, starting from the start? What if we allowed the ideas of the big players only an equal voice with those of the little folk? What if we brought good heads and good hearts together? What if we looked for our common ground and ways for everyone to not just have an opportunity but to actually be substantially better off, and got off our win-lose idea that almost everyone has to lose?

:- Doug.

Open Space Technology does one step at a time: We gather. How shall we gather? In a circle? What shall we do? See what people want to do. What next? Choose where our contribution or learning is the most and go there. What next? Get to work.

It is as far from a show as possible.

:- Doug.

Conversation is a garden. If the conversing is luxuriant, so will be the life coming out of it.

:- Doug.