Territory and space - ontological distinction

Definitions

We want here to introduce an important disctinction between territory and space. Both terms are often confused.

A space refers to a specific universe with a specific set of properties, dynamics, flows, elements, parts, etc. The professional space, the dream space, the family space, the private space, the meditation space, the intimate space... each of these spaces are familiar to us and are distinct from one another. We are used to declare to others in which space we are now, or which space we leave or enter. For instance in a meeting space you might declare to others that you just were in your thoughts, meaning you were in this very specific space with its own dynamics.

A territory is defined by boundaries, occupancy and ownership (eventhough it may not be 'owned' by anyone, it still refers to ownership). Land, intellectual property, expertise, even people and networks, companies, thoughts are very commonly considered as territories. Inside their boundaries they have their own sets of rules, regulation, governance.

Context in collective intelligence

These ontological distinctions are important in the collective intelligence practice.

Boundaries and occupancy pretty much seem to belong to Original Collective Intelligence (OCI). Ownership is definitely a creation of Pyramidal Collective Intelligence (PCI).

The territorial ontology is part of the PCI paradigm. It is another side property of the scarce monetary system in which scarcity triggers the sense of property, ownership and control.

Hence, organizations are perceived as territories in PCI while they are experienced as spaces in Global Collective Intelligence (GCI). This ontological distinction is not yet clear for people who transition from PCI to GCI. It is definitely hard to understand for people who are still emotionnaly, socially and culturally entrapped in the PCI paradigm (although they may intellectually understand GCI). Territory triggers old protective instincts and vital responses.

Therefore when a GCI organization is named -- because organizations will always need tags and names -- we can witness where people are as their own evolution by observing their emotional response: territorial or space.

Context with TheTransitioner

TheTransitioner.org defines itself as a pioneering vessel. This vessel is made to explore new continents of consciousness, and how they build into the next social organizations, with their technologies, means of expression, culture, etc.

Like any vessel, the crew needs to have specific practice and know-how in order to navigate it. In the 15th century vessels were sailboats made to cross the ocean and discover the new lands. People onboard needed to know sailing and sea navigation. They also needed quite a range of practical knowledge in many domains: woodworking, hunting and fishing, building shelters, weapons, etc. Today's navigators need to be quite knowledgeable about themselves, human nature, consciousness, Internet technologies, world culture, wisdom traditions, OCI, PCI, GCI, and  mental maps of many sorts.

These vessels are not a territory anymore. They are a space. TheTransitioner is a space of shared intentions, common ground, agreements, contracts, accountabilities, practices, etc. It is not a territory. It doesn't belong to anyone. It is a vessel, it is a tool.

TheTransitioner invites its partners and member to remember the ontological distinction between territory and space. Emotional, cultural and social gregarious responses from the past should be carefully monitored and deactivated so that TheTransitioner can be fully used as a GCI vessel made to serve humanity. As a space.