LoD
Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858), Japanese painter and printmaker. Plum Estate, Kameido 1857 (150 Kb).
Woodblock Print 13 1/4 x 8 5/8 in. The Brooklyn Museum.
The natural condition and the human condition within it bring both into an inescapable state of mutual existence that precludes any independent, self-serving and one-sided continuum. This is the problem buried deep inside nature and humankind: "To distinguish between human cells and those of newts, seals, or coyotes, one has to descend to the molecular level of the cell to find the odd dissimilarity. We are nature, a realization that stopped Emerson dead in his tracks in Paris, and may it stop us in ours. We live in community, not alone, and any sense of separateness that we harbor is illusion. Humans are animals, albeit extraordinary ones, and have no special immunity conferred upon them. Given the present rate of planetary pollution and destruction, we need to negotiate a détente with nature and with ourselves." Paul Hawken, Blessed Unrest 171 (2007).
Working Papers Archive
The Hasan Özbekhan Planetary Dialogues
Design and Development Frame (presently under revision).Abstract: This paper describes the context of the current situation involving an electronically wired but spiritually disconnected e-culture, and the proposed frame that could provide integrating structures in the form of "circles of interlinked dialogue" that could help resolve the dire existing situation.
Adobe Reader
, download free software for this pdf file.A Technology of Democracy
Abstract: Mary Parker Follett (1868-1933), the early 20th-century philosopher of democracy was one of the first management scientists. She is now celebrated as the "Prophet of Management." One of her most enduring observations was the statement in her book, The New State (1918) (republished by Pennsylvania State University, 1998), in which she confronted the difficulties of realizing the fundamental goal of democracy: for the people to rule. "We now ask" Follett exclaimed, "'How are they to rule?' It is the technique of democracy which we are seeking. We shall find it in group organization." During the last several decades of the 20th century, systems sciences, produced the very scheme that Follett sought, we call it: A Technology of Democracy, and this technology is spectacular.
New Agora: New Geometry of Languaging And New Technology of Democracy: The Structured Design Dialogue Process
Abstract: A Technology of Democracy is needed to overcome the propensity toward Spreadthink, Groupthink, and the "Erroneous Priorities Effect" and to facilitate meaningful group dialogue that enhances the pursuit of community wisdom and power. This is the only way to realize the promise of democracy.
Adobe Reader
, download free software for this pdf file.Harnessing collective wisdom at a fraction of the time using Structured Dialogic Design Process in a virtual communications context
Abstract: This paper describes the application of Structured Dialogue Design (SDD) process, (ppt file) within the context of a rich web-based communications environment. Using a combination of asynchronous and synchronous communications tools for engaging stakeholders at different places in a disciplined dialogue, the authors evaluate the extent to which the SDDP can be applied to deliver reasonably effective and useful results at a shorter time and at a lower cost to the participants and the sponsors of the dialogue. This new "technology of democracy" is based on the experience acquired from four virtual co-laboratories, during which different components of the revised SDD methodology were tested. The paper focuses primarily on the synchronous interaction of the participants and the roles and technologies required in facilitating their disciplined dialogue in the production of a Root Cause Map.
Adobe Reader
, download free software for this pdf fileMicrosoft Office Power Point Viewer
, download free software flor this ppt fileTheories of Action
Abstract: Mental maps that involve the way people plan, implement and review their actions. These maps are split between theory and action: The distinction made between the two contrasting theories of action is between those theories that are implicit in what we do as practitioners and managers, and those on which we call to speak of our actions to others. The former can be described as theories in use. They govern actual behavior and tend to be tacit structures. The words we use to convey what we, do or what we would like others to think we do, can then be called espoused theories.
Circles of Interlinked Dialogue
Abstract: This is an extract of the original description of the "Circles of Interlinked Dialogue" proposal transmitted by Jacqueline Howell Wasilewski Ph.D., to V. Schreibman, in an e-mail Dec 31, 2006 that has spawned The HO Planetary Dialogues.
Updated Wednesday, October 15, 2008