Month: December 2011

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Steven Colbert and Neil deGrassi Tyson

This is an outstanding interview by Steven Colbert of astrophysicist Neil deGrassi Tyson that took place in early 2010. Steven Colbert is witty, funny, and intelligent. He also asks very important and challenging questions about the nature of science, physics, knowledge and how it relates to human beings at this time. Neil deGrassi Tyson is apt with metaphor, anecdote, and the framework of science.

There is a lot to like in this 90 minute video. For me, I appreciated this particular piece. Colbert asks deGrassi Tyson, “What is beautiful about science?” deGrassi Tyson gives an example for him, “Energy = mass x speed of light squared (can’t find a way to superscript for the moment).” “Why is that beautiful to you?” asks Colbert. “It is simple yet accounts for hugely complex things.”

This is a great description of the hunger I tend to feel for simplicity in the patterns of organizing human beings. An example of that simplicity is in the principles for healthy and resilient community that I use often — these too account for hugely complex behaviors in systems.

deGrassi goes on to describe more of the beauty — “This beauty, will drive you to poetry.” Let us hope.

Thanks Meg Wheatley and Nicco Pesci for referring me to this one.

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Organic and Generative Organizing

My friend Diana Durham continues to inspire me with passages from her new book. As she has before in this post on leadership and relationship.

“The organic, generative kingdom that is created out of the internal harmony of relationship between inner and outer, and then replicated in fractal growth, is the polar opposite of the Wasteland Kingdom presided over by the Wounded King. Here is the difference between an organization that has fossilized and one that has become what Peter Senge termed a ‘learning organization‘, where new ideas and practices can grow and take root. Here is the difference between a living system and the entrenched and dysfunctional organizational structures where precedent is the rule of thumb, and no one dares utter an original thought, where one thing is said, and another done. Here is the difference between the herd instinct, in which a Wounded King presides over the group’s collective abrogation of personal authority and responsibility, and the high potency possibilities of collective leadership.”

 

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Tweets of the Weeks

  • “In practice, there is no grand chasm to cross. Just do the small act of kindness for the person in front of you, right now.” Nipun Mehta
  • #utasman: Glen Lauder — “In every half hour there is a lifetime of living.”
  • Enjoyed co-convening and hosting a Walk Out Walk On Event this week in Salt Lake City, Utah. bit.ly/sncaPY
  • RT @sagesscientists: When I give to others, my community, and my society, I participate in creating consciousness in the world.
  • RT @PeggyHolman: The more at peace u r w/the unknown, the more u can enter into it with a spirit of adventure.
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Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

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asd
In My Nature is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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asd
Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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