Thoughts on Open Space

I am attending a set of "Open Space" sessions, I think the idea of getting people together on like minded topics is great. But the "Philosophy of Open Space" suffers from the same problems of any other "Purist" self help/focus/delivery solutions i.e. it works great if the mediator is strong or in some cases where the attendees are strong. At other events I have attended sessions where "provided" mediators have been less than useless.

The first session I was in today , the "mediator"  was not only strong in her ability to control the session but she was deeply knowledgeable in the subject which made it  a truly great session.

One of the big problems with Open Space is the "Induction" which reminds me of an In-Touch event where an unnamed Microsoft Employee turned to me and said "I am worried that at any minute they will expect us to cover ourselves in Woad and Primal Scream ourselves into the woods" , which was SOOOOO much kinder than my thoughts were on the matter.

spiritually yours

b.