: This was a multifaceted discussion centered around the legacy of Harrison Owen, the concept of open space, and its application within various contexts, including community engagement, theatre, and organisational transformation.
Summary of Key Ideas:
1. Application of Open Space: The conversation starts with a mention of a model used by a (theatre ) group in Los Angeles, Cornerstone which integrates open space into their work by engaging deeply with communities to understand their interests and co-create responsive projects, ranging from professional productions to devising community-centric pieces.
2. Legacy of Harrison Owen: There's a strong emphasis on the importance of carrying forward Harrison Owen's legacy, particularly his open space methodology. This legacy is seen as crucial for reinvention and stewardship in various fields, including theatre and community organisation.
3. Stewardship and Transmission: The idea of stewardship of practice and the passing on of knowledge, resources, and stories is highlighted. Owen himself, in his later years, focused on the dissemination of his work and ideas, emphasising the importance of sharing stories and experiences.
4. Open Space as a Concept: Open space is discussed not just as a method for meetings but as a broader concept that encompasses physical spaces (like porches as mentioned in the portrait photographs he talked about to Phelim in his last email to him! and marketplaces) and the fostering of community, dialogue, and creativity.
5. Future Directions and Connections: The dialogue touches on plans to establish an open space center (Barry Owen’s project) and The Improbable “Gathering Project” and gather resources and stories related to open space methodology. There's a mention of involving different stakeholders, including younger generations and possibly connecting with similar initiatives.

Action Points:
1. Expand Open Space Applications: Explore and document how open space methodology can be further integrated into community work, theatre productions, and organizational transformation. This could involve case studies or collaborative projects.
2. Steward Owen’s Legacy: Consider creating a platform or initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing Harrison Owen’s work, methodologies, and stories. This could be a digital archive, a series of publications, or an annual event.
3. Engage Communities: Follow the model mentioned of living within a community to deeply understand its needs and co-create relevant projects. This could be piloted in a specific location with a commitment to long-term engagement.
4. Facilitate Knowledge Transmission: Develop programs or workshops aimed at teaching open space principles to new generations, ensuring the stewardship of Owen’s legacy. This could include mentorship programs, educational resources, or online platforms.
5. Network and Collaboration: Build a network of practitioners, organizations, and communities interested in open space methodology. This network can support mutual learning, share resources, and potentially collaborate on projects.
6. Document and Share: Create a repository of stories, case studies, and resources related to open space methodology's impact across different sectors. This could serve as an inspirational and educational resource for practitioners worldwide.
This summary and the action points aim to capture the essence of the discussed legacy and suggest proactive steps to honor and build upon Harrison Owen's contributions to open space methodology and beyond.
Based on the detailed discussion and the themes it encompasses, here are the distilled action steps aimed at preserving Harrison Owen's legacy, promoting the use of open space methodology, and facilitating organizational transformation:
1. Develop a Comprehensive Archive:
Compile Owen's writings, talks, and case studies on open space into a digital archive. This repository should also include contributions from practitioners across the globe to reflect the breadth and depth of open space applications.
2. Launch an Open Space Practitioners Network:
Create a global network of individuals and organisations practicing open space. This platform could facilitate knowledge exchange, mentorship, collaboration on projects, and the sharing of resources.
3. Institute Annual Open Space Conferences or Gatherings in the UK OSONOS : Improbable’s future space at Bore place as a possible host for and Osonos
4. Organize annual events that serve as a nexus for practitioners, scholars, and community members to explore the evolution of open space methodology and its application in various fields.
5. Establish an Open Space Innovation Lab:
6. Found a center dedicated to experimenting with and applying open space principles in new domains, such as digital collaboration tools, urban planning, and education. This lab can also focus on developing training programs and resources for new practitioners.
7. Engage with Communities through Long-term Projects:
 Implement the model of deep community engagement mentioned in the discussion, where practitioners live within a community to identify and co-create projects responsive to local needs and interests.
8. Document and Share Success Stories and Learnings:

Regularly publish stories and case studies showcasing successful applications of open space in various contexts. This could take the form of a blog, podcast, or video series, aiming to inspire and educate a wider audience.
9. Foster Inter-generational Transfer of Knowledge
10. Curate a Collection of Open Space Artefacts and Memorabilia:
As suggested by Owen, collect and curate items of significance to the history and practice of open-space, creating a physical or virtual museum that tells the story of its impact and evolution.
11. Promote Open Space Methodology in New Sectors:
Identify and target sectors where open space methodology has not yet been widely adopted but could have significant impact, such as in digital innovation, climate change initiatives, and social justice movements.
12. Facilitate Global Collaborations and Exchanges:
- Set up exchange programs or collaborative projects that allow practitioners from different parts of the world to work together, share experiences, and learn from each other’s contexts and challenges.
By executing these action steps, you can contribute to both preserving Harrison Owen’s legacy and ensuring that the principles and practices of open space continue to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow's challenges.
The transcript you've shared reveals a rich tapestry of ideas and reflections surrounding the legacy of Harrison Owen and the application of Open Space Technology (OST). Among these, several surprising and thought-provoking concepts stand out, reflecting on both the potential and the profound impact of OST:
1. Deep Community Integration: The approach of living within a community for an extended period (six months as mentioned) to truly understand and respond to its needs before implementing OST or related projects is both radical and inspiring. This deep immersion goes beyond conventional community engagement practices, offering a more authentic and responsive way to foster meaningful change.
2. Stewardship Over Legacy: The dialogue touches on a nuanced perspective regarding legacy, emphasizing stewardship rather than ownership or mere continuation. This idea suggests a dynamic, living approach to carrying forward Owen’s work, where the principles of OST are adapted, evolved, and reimagined by each practitioner or community, rather than being rigidly preserved.
3. The Concept of Giving Away: Harrison Owen's emphasis on giving away the methodology freely, with the only condition being that the stories of its application and impact are shared, underscores a powerful model for knowledge dissemination and community building. This principle challenges conventional notions of intellectual property and commercialization, promoting an open-source ethos in the realm of organizational and community development.
4. Physical Spaces as Open Space: The mention of porches and marketplaces as metaphors or literal spaces for open space conversations introduces a tangible dimension to OST. It suggests that the physical environment can significantly influence the dynamics of open dialogue, community engagement, and creativity, reminding practitioners to be mindful of the spaces they choose or create for OST sessions.
5. Global Network with Local Actions: The idea of connecting a global network of OST practitioners who are deeply engaged in local actions presents a unique model for global collaboration that is rooted in local realities and needs. This contrasts with more top-down or globally uniform approaches to change-making.
6. Youth as Judges: The concept of involving children as judges in a literature festival, thereby giving them significant decision-making power, was a surprising application of OST principles outside the usual corporate or adult-centric contexts. It highlights OST’s versatility and potential to empower and include all age groups in meaningful ways.
7. Artefacts and Memorabilia: Owen’s suggestion to use specific photographs and artifacts as a means to capture and share the essence of OST’s impact is intriguing. It points to the importance of tangible symbols and stories in preserving the spirit and lessons of a methodology, transcending mere theoretical or written records.
8. Positive Outlook on Passing and Transformation: The candid reflection on Owen’s own mortality and his positive outlook on it, viewing the end of life as a clean and natural progression, offers a profound meditation on life, work, and legacy. This outlook could inspire practitioners to consider the long-term impact and the cycles of their work and contributions.
These ideas, while surprising, underscore the depth and adaptability of OST, suggesting that its principles can influence far beyond formal meetings or organisational change initiatives, touching on community development, education, and even personal reflections on life and legacy.

The transcript you've shared mentions several people, groups, or entities in the context of discussing Harrison Owen's legacy, the Open Space Technology (OST) methodology, and their applications. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Harrison Owen: Mentioned throughout as the central figure whose legacy and contributions to the Open Space Technology methodology are being discussed.
2. Cornerstones: A group based in Los Angeles, mentioned for their model of working and how they integrate open space into their work, particularly in the context of engaging with communities and creating responsive projects.
3. Barry Owen : Mentioned as someone involved in discussions about continuing Owen’s work, possibly related to the establishment of an open space center. He is also noted as having a conversation with the speaker about cleaning out Harrison Owen's office and about the items and stories collected over the years.
4. Michelle: Head of Libraries, mentioned as a proponent of using open space in library settings and for organizing events like the Big Literature Festival.
5. Paul Levy : A person who seems to be familiar with Harrison Owen's work and Open Space Technology, and who provides insights into potential future directions and the history of OST gatherings.
6. Catherine ? : Associated with King’s College London, mentioned in the context of being interested in open space technology and its applications.
7. World Open Space on Open Space (WOSonOS): Referred to as a significant gathering for practitioners of OST, indicating its role in fostering a global community around the methodology.
8. City of Westminster Magistrates Court: Mentioned by Isaac in a tangential story, possibly as a metaphor or anecdote rather than a direct participant in the OST discussions.