Replying to LO24820 --
Right on, Bill! Thank you for putting into words something which I've also
been concerned about, but have not been able to articulate. Your
description of how a sense of balance and wholeness can be more easily
achieved in in-person dialogue, and how and if this might be enabled
online here at LO, really struck a chord. I haven't read the article yet,
but will do so. I remember skimming it once before, the pros and cons.
I have felt this same way for some time, but even more compellingly so in
brief dialogue with someone offlist. We are missing out on the treasures
of so many out there!! More emotive or feeling people may be intimidated
by the abstract, logical, hyper-intellectual, Socratic-style discourse
(Sajeela's apt description), and thus, feel indirectly silenced. Other
imbalances may be introverts vs. extroverts, etc. Emotions usually take
longer to gestate and express clearly; they are more likely to speak to
one's wisdom and sense of humanity, as opposed to measurable outcomes and
practical agendas. Is this any less valuable? Hmm, I wonder how deeply
people want their learning organizations to transform and keep learning?
"To administer a social organization according to purely technical
criteria of rationality is irrational, because it ignores the nonrational
aspects of social conduct." - Peter M. Blau (1956)
...and not just conduct, but human response and levels of engagement, be
it emotional, psychological, mental, spiritual, etc.
When I read from others about how they will continue to actively listen, I
sort of cringe because I feel this may signal to others who have the same
self-effacing openness to humbly keep listening and absorbing--without
sharing their own personal discoveries, stumblings, masteries with us.
This lopsided dynamic seems to happen in all human gatherings--it is
nobody's 'fault'. However, it is an opportunity for us to learn more
collaboratively, adapt, and find ways to create space for ALL to speak AND
truly listen, and thus, reach greater wholeness.
How do we find balances that allow wise beings of all kinds (silent,
loquacious, and otherwise) to come forth? Do people feel safe enough to
share on here, and are there opportunities for people to plug in according
to their personal strengths, wishes, or learning styles? I find this topic
area to be quite interesting. How may we find ways of gradually and
'virtually' reaching that balance of collective wisdom, which grows
stronger and is much more satisfying when there are more people actively
involved in the process, and when there is extreme diversity among us?
After a bit of a shake-up such as we've just experienced here on LO (a
"creation with death" perhaps, as Jon describes), often we rush in to
re-establish order and structure again, re-define comfort zones and
familiar territory. Some of this is useful--we are re-finding common
ground--but I feel it's also important to remain open and flexible and
even confused, as well.
The advantage of in-person dialogue is that the interpersonal connection
can sometimes naturally and more readily reach a 'space' in which wisdom
and balance flows. For example, when everyone is vibing collectively,
hearty 'talkers' will at times reconnect with inner self and start to
reach a more quiet or balanced flow, and others who are not so verbosely
inclined will start to come forward to share their full power and
truth--everything just seems to come together. How do we keep engagin in
such a process online, and with such a large group (1800 members approx.)?
You asked for ideas, Bill. I too feel that having focus groups is
extremely useful. Maybe this could be done on the counterpart website that
Rick has mentioned is being developed. Depending on its format, there
could be ways for focus topics to evolve and take place. I don't know how
that might be...But regardless, it would be good to be able to 'vibe with
our tribe' (ie, according to topic, or learning styles, etc) while still
connecting within the main LO forum.
It's important for different needs to be met and even for project ideas or
outcomes to be developed to the mutual benefit of all or various
participants. Examples of focus groups might be: a) more technically
inclined discussion, b) big business, c) HR, d) humanist type fields like
education and participatory development, and so on. Or things might just
subdivide according to current interests--eg, articistic expression,
venting about various problems (damn those bureaucrats), etc. I don't
think it's about overstructuring LO here, but simply hashing out ways to
make it more responsive to creating an active participatory learning
culture.
This does not fracture our community here on LO, but simply pools our
resources and allows the freedom to develop ideas and connections, or just
facilitate individual expression (and no, Andrew, I don't think the new
site is just an outlet for your personal plethora of artistic energy and
talents--*winking playfully*--it's for all of us differently-abled
learners!).
If people are concerned about the 'great ones' who are no longer sharing
with us on this listserv, no worries, we can 'walk the talk' and develop
ourselves and assist each other to reach new heights and new levels of
wholeness. I for one don't feel we all have to be Olympic Learning-Org
types for to do well and excel, here or elsewhere. If that's how others
feel, then I am definitely in the wrong place!
My sense of the world evolving around me is a dual pull. It's about living
optimally within a system: being able to reach new levels of achievement
and facilitate autonomous, democratic development. Finding a balance
between individuality and community, freedom and responsibility, intuition
and logic, unity and diversity, and so on.
Sachidananda Mohanty captures the essence of what I feel:
"No longer do we have the easier option, the exclusive choice. Today we
must have environment as well as industry, learn to accommodate the search
for an elitistic excellence with the quest for an egalitarian social
order; we must combine internationalism with the demands of ethnic and
regional cultures."
Being one of the more long-winded types on here, I will try to start
listening more. I have enjoyed the recent posts. I couldn't help
responding. Bill's and Graham's messages touched me with their power and
sincerity. Graham I wish I could also learn your concision! Are you a
Scorpio, by any chance? :-)
Warmest wishes to all.
Lana
--Lana Choi <ecospirit@mail.com>
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