What is the “Sense of Openness”?

Many words in the English language have two types of meanings: the literal meaning and a meaning that is tied to culture. For example, the word “sense” in my case. The cultural meaning of sense is tied to spiritualism and it's something that shouldn't tied with science. One of the literal meanings of sense is understanding. In my case, the literal meaning should be applied as it sounds the most reasonable.

Openness on the other hand is used to define a movement where “accommodating attitude or opinion, as in receptivity to new ideas, behaviors, cultures, peoples, environments, experiences, etc., different from the familiar, conventional, traditional, or one's own" (Wiktionary).

There are many ways to get a “sense” of openness. As an example, there are five highest values that were picked up by Svetlana from her volunteering in these various Open * communities. The five senses chosen have more of the cultural meaning rather than the literal meaning as a play on wording.

Sense of knowledge: Everyone knows the saying “knowledge is power” and it can be applied to all Open * Communities. It's the key for both personal, and the Community development, because one applies it in order to learn and grow.

Sense of merit: Anyone can join any Open * community and regardless of how much knowledge they have in a certain topic, they can place themselves at the level that they are comfortable at and even grow within.

Sense of freedom: In this case is referring to freedom of choice and how one expresses themselves.

Sense of community: We are a social species where we form groups based on various factors, such as interests.

Sense of impact: In this case, the focus is on the social impact on people within and outside these Open * Communities.

About Svetlana

Currently I am a citizen science volunteer at the Cincinnati Nature Center where I work on solutions on how to create an impact in the local community and collecting wildlife data for various projects.