An update on the seeds...

Hi Siona,

 I'm currently sussing out the new seeds feature & realizing that a 'big love' seed is costing me 3 points each time.. Would it be pos to lower the price for spreading the love to 1 seed instead? As I understand the rating system, I get 1 seed per entry & when doing the math,
it doesn't quite add up.. -My active time on zaadz is limited & with a large network where I would like to distribute my seeds of love, evenly I'm gonna have to start a marathon blogging race to earn enough seeds ;-)

love & lightness tara <3

Wonderful clarification and update! Thank you!!  I'd just like to clarify too… this is not a “rating” system really… it's kinda like the “add this to my favorites” feature… it's not saying that just because this person has more “seeded” posts that they are better by any means… it's merely acknowledging that someone thinks this person has something important to share.  Or for my seeds, I share them when I read a post that makes me really tingle and feel all warm and fuzzy… resonates!  I still see people responding with fear about it being a “better than” system.  Not the case, we are all still Zaadzsters!  Some of these amazing Zaadzsters write really profound and inspiring posts.

Thanks Siona.

I'd like your input about some of the other features; which are outlined in the Think Tank.
Moderating the community:questions and suggestions-http://pods.zaadz.com/thinktank/discussions/view/206648#206648

Seriously, a little too late.  I'm sure the 'Team' meant well…. and in meaning well, my trust, my personal blog was crapped on.

Meenakshi told me there were changes, but the thing is…. the changes don't much matter at this point.  You took my faith, my trust, my autonomy, my dignity, and splat the Z footprint right in the middle of my personal space.

That sucks.

Do it to me once, shame on you.
Do it to me twice, shame on me.

I will Not be shamed.

~Wendy
Spiritual Life Design

Siona,

I've blogged and added comments …don't see any change in the number of my seeds.
Just thot I'd let you know as you've asked for what works and what doesn't.

I just wanted to say a cheerful farewell to everyone who was too insulted by changes in a community clearly centered around change to carry on using the site.

Byeeee!!!

Lots of Love,

-james

This sounds better Siona, simpler.  Easier to live with.  Easier to use. 

Hmm.  James.  You know, for some this is painful.  I'm glad you're feelin' great.  Some aren't.  People are different.  They take things differently.  God pulls them in different directions to create the fullness of the Universe.  Sometimes the directions we're pulled aren't the easiest.  Personally, I'd like to keep that in mind.  But here's something you might like.  In a coffee place near our house there's a tip jar, and on the jar it says:  “Afraid of change?  Leave yours here.”  :)

“We'll keep listening.”

really?  who is it you are listening to? 

Siona & the Team,   Thank you for listening to us & for considering everything we all had to say.   I am pleased with the wording, explanation & concept change :)   It feels much better to be able to mark a really important post that we want to acknowledge as having merit towards our goals & that we wish to share with others.    I dont see it as a reward, i see it as helping to spread a good idea.    I haven't spent any of mine yet,  so i'm not sure how it all works just yet, but Tara mentioned the cost being too high a price to spread love, i think i would like it to be a little costly spreading the love so that we save them more towards the really important posts.  If we spend too many and its just about spreading the love, seems it defeats the purpose.   Then it becomes more a popularity race vs pointing to something really great.   If that makes sense?   The concept of spreading love means you want to spread it to all your friends & everyone.  The concept of flagging something you think others should read would help it not be about popularity.  The concept shouldn't be about spreading love evenly to all your friends. 

Anyway, I am happy you all took into consideration our thoughts & concerns.   Thank You Team. ;)

hi searching,

let me elaborate on the way i've decided to percieve this latest treat from the gorgeous
zaadz team:  i choose to spread my love seeds at random to whoever is online when
I fire it up!

This goes along with the concept, as we are given bonus according to active time spent
on zaadz as it is;  and, besides, the only way I know how to spread the love, is evenly;
Is there any other way?

Each and everyone, who have decided to be my friend on zaadz, is in my point of view,  applicable for a bonus treat on their profile; This also gives my friends the opportunity
to pass  on more love to their friends, yeah! <3 <3 <3

I choose to not use my seeds as comments on the various kinds of posts, as I prefer to
voice my opinion on content with words, either by a public comment, or with a private mail.

So, when I point out  that I think the price for 'big love' seeds are a bit high, is merely in comparison to the fact that I have to put in three activities to perform one random act of
kindness :-D  (-could be that I'm a bit lacy or just get caught up with reading rather than
writing sometimes..;-) - I do hope this clarifies my perception of system: 'trust' somewhat..

love & lightness tara <3

Hi Tara,

I'm not as concerned about 'activity time' as thats a slow measure really.  I'm concerned with the concept of spreading out love to all your friends evenly as this defeats the purpose of pointing out a post that you find absolutely fabulous that creates an 'aha' moment with you or that creates some excellent dialogue or importance that resonates with YOU.  This way we have the ability to share with others those 'special' posts that get us excited.   If you click that you like it on every post because they are your friends and you wish to validate them as being wonderful people, the concept  leads to more of a popularity contest than an important idea.    And what i feel is the issue everyone is having with this concept is popularity rating.  To me its in the way you view spreading seeds that will make or break this idea.

If we are using this system to spread love to our friends, its the wrong concept.  imo.  And to me, the wording 'trust system' is also not a good concept.  Not sure what a good wording would be at this point.

Hi again Searching,

Ok then, I do not distribute my seeds on comments at all; I write comments when
I have an opinion on the content & wish to alert the author and/or other readers to
my point of view. So far, a lot of comments on a blogpost, will also generate a higher
visability on the site..

When I have an opinion, I prefer to put my name behind it, rather than being anonymous;
Which is how it works for me. I have no judgement on what might work for others. I'll leave
that up to them.

I plant seeds of love on my friends profiles only, in the same manner as when I use the
word: Namaste as a greeting & the words: love & lightness..  for me, spreading the love
has nothing to do with popularity rating. As I said, from where I'm looking, everybody is
unique & loveable. (ps: I think that giving love is also a great way to welcome new members: invite them to be your friend & give'em some sugar, baby;-)

This again, is how i've chosen to percieve the new tool. This is what works for me at this
point & has no reference to whether the concept and/or any given use of it, is right or wrong.
I have no leverage to judge.

So far, I've kept up on reading the multitude of comments & opinions regarding the concept
itself, as well as observing the immediate response & use in my network. This new tool is
barely off the ground & for me to weigh in with a point of view, I need more time to see
how it works for me & others & what the effect is on the zaadz site as a whole..

loads of love seeds, laughter & lightness tara <3

Thank you for clarifying .. :)

Hi!

It's wonderful how reading comments can begin to explain what a new piece of “system” might actually mean/entail, and, what is more important (at least, for me) the (often hidden) reasoning/feeling behind such a system.

When I joined Zaadz, it was because of the love, feedom, interest, common bond, oneness, difference, possibility, positiveness, etc……. And, that feeling of being in a place of unconditional love.

In the past 10 years I have been to and led/helped facilitate many transformation workshops - when these workshops “work”, ie have a feeling of opening up and joy and the seeds of success, it is when they foster among those present (ie those present foster) a container of absolute acceptance where we don't give points to one another, however much we may be attracted to or triggered by those “others” in the group. (Ho'oponopono would of course say, there are no others, but sometimes it's useful on Earth to know “otherness” - can be quite ecstatic that way!)

It is of course tempting to start “worrying” about “security” now that Zaadz is become so popular and empowered/empowering (ie we are acknowledging within this wondrous community how empowered we really are - and using it to create wonderful transformation at such really manifesting levels.)

If you think about it, isn't it all rather strange? As soon as we are so many that we start making a real major difference, we start worrying about those “hidden others” in the group who might be “dangerous” or try to take us “off course.” History repeating itself? We start saying “X is better than Y,” and giving marks to prove it.

But the spiritual teachers represented and quoted on this site tell us without question, that by encompassing all in unconditional love (not in some weak “everything's 'OK'-way” but by seeing the divine in everyone/everything) and not comparing, we have the best way of allowing ourselves and others to live their highest divine potential. Surely this also applies to Zaadz and Zaadzters.

This seed-business, however innocently conceived, and despite (or is it because of) the “negative-seed possibility” being first thought up and then removed, shows that we are allowing ourselves to go the way of Fear, just as our governments/banks/medical profession often have. I invite everyone to ponder what fear-based actions, however well-meaning, usually lead to, and what then happens to the empowered ideas that brought each enterprise into humbly proud being.

I love you all.
And yes, I love those that thought up the idea - for these fears are deep within me too. Thank you for showing me what it is time to release.

John O
www.christaltemple.com

Thank you, all.

I just want to say that these seeds are meant to be spent! If you can spend all of yours in the form of thank yous to others, that's wonderful, because the more you give the more you can get. Give give give! They're meant to encourage circulation and to instill a sense of trust that no matter how many you give away, your bank will keep replenishing.

John? Thank you for that recognition. I've heard no small amount of fear and concern about what this might do to the community, and I do want to say that I hear that anxiety, and the worry about what this might bring about. I've heard all this, and I completely acknowledge that concern in the face of something new is totally valid. I'm glad you were able to speak up, and I love how so many felt free and safe and comfortable enough to express this fear, and I trust, totally, that you'll be able to continue to do so.

Someone mentioned in an earlier post that the popular content is already on the 'hot' page. This is true; in some ways that 'popularity contest' already exists; it's just not exactly elegantly done.  Right now, the 'hot' page(s) are based on the content that gets the most views, and the content with the most comments. What we're hoping is that, with the advent of the seeds, you'll be able to nominate gems that might not otherwise be getting enough attention to show up on that page. It's a means for quieter voices to get elected.

Also, I do hope you'll trust in the nuances of Jake's system! There's a cap on the number of seeds you can accumulate, so if you never spend any, you'll eventually reach that upper cap and your bank will stay as-is until you start circulating them. (And if the number of seeds in your bank changes without you having done anything differently, well, that's partially because the cap is based on the number of seeds that have already been circulated among different members.)

So much love, and so much gratitude…

Hi John,

I hear what you're saying about Fear of “dangerous” “hidden others”.  That should be something we consider when we think about moderation.

But as someone who has been a volunteer application reviewer for most of the past year, I can tell you there's a practical impetus for moderation too.

Every month, there were more and more spam applications.  Not as in “people who don't share our values” but SPAM.  Hotlinks to pron or viagra or cheap mortgages.  The moderation system is one way of keeping the site from being deluged by spam-posts.  Ever been to larger social networking sites?  On MySpace it's quite frequent to get SPAM comments & fake friend requests from Spammers.   It makes the user experience really sucky (well, along with all the other things about MySpace that suck).

I agree that there are irrational fears that accompany rapid exponential growth.  But there are some valid practical concerns here too.

I have finally figured out to my own satisfactory understanding, what the big Divide is.

It seems to me that the supporters and the objectors to the new seed system are making very different predictions about how people will behave. That's it. Each person is either optimistic about how people will behave within the system, or is pessimistic about how people will behave within the system.

But since both are predictions, there is another group of Wait and See.

If we come from the spiritual perspective that others are simply mirrors for ourselves, we would turn inward after making our predictions, and learn more about ourselves.

I came up with what I think is a more accurate and less controversial name for the system: Sowing Seeds System. or maybe Sharing Seeds System. The more I contemplate the word Trust the worse it seems to me. It's not about Trust, or who we trust or don't trust. It's about appreciation, about alertness, about discernment. The term Trust DOES seem a bit Orwellian to me, because in my perception it is a mislabelling.

Thank you, Siona and Team, for listening!

Blessings, OM Bastet
 
I had another alternative name too which I can't recall at the moment. :(

P.S. Here's a “nuance of Jake's system” that I really appreciate: I am not making a list of whom I have given a seed of love or thanks on their profile, so it is REALLY helpful for their profile to remind me, when I go there, what I have or haven't given that person so far.

OM Bastet… that was beautiful. And I like the Seed System name better, too. :)

I really love this idea!  Nice to see that you're trying to do away with cyberbullying and flaming parties to encourage people to behave maturely and kindly online.

Seed-Sharing System, that's good…

Dear Beloved Siona -

How is Boulder?

My thoughts pertaining too the 'Seed System' is that we have all been given a wondeful gift to assess are own level of spiritual growth and understanding. While many, myself included often speak of love, light, enlightenment and so forth, the real way to ascertain one's state of mind and development of heart is by those close to you.

Our trues state of heart is a reflection and how others around/close to us, merely reflect what is contained in our own hearts. Or in other words, our heart reflect out to others and then others react to what we reflect upon them.

This beautiful 'Seed System' has allowed us all to see what we may be conflicted about within our own inner hearts. Did it cause anger or upset, then you have anger and upset within your own heart, and now if you acknowledge and look within, that can be dealt with, and soon you will see life in a new way.

Perhaps like myself you may have become judgemental of others in this regard, I openly had issues with the profanity some used in this forum and then began to condemn those in my own mind. Therefore I looked within and began to acknowledge that within myself, accept such and move forward. 

When You relax, and concentrate on You, instead of someone else, you accumulate energy in you, that makes you be noticeable by others.  For example, if John likes Helen, he thinks and dwells in her (literally outside his body), it means he directs his own energy to that person, Jane. Jane becomes more secure (even unconsciously) she feels more important, more powerful in each way (because of the incoming amount of energy from you)… but then she starts to notice John less and less (because actually it's nothing to notice, all the energy, which makes a person attractive is flown to the Jane), so her feelings for John lessen. Now, when John, knowing how physics works, stops from leaking energy (he centers this source  of power again in him self (it feels like in the area of heart you have a sun, shining in every direction and then back to the heart, you literally feel this warm and secure current of power, your center, God, Higher Self) So, what happens, Jane feels suddenly like cut off, she feels empty, alone, not noticed (and that's all because literally she is cut off of your stream of energy , that you now center again in you instead of somebody else)  , You see, it's actually all about you and how you control the source of your center/power/energy. All others only reflect Your state.   As soon as you forget about your beacon (center power) you redirect the attracting force from you to other place and then once again you can see the outside reflection in form of others.  So, You just have to train Yourself never to loose a notion of your power/center… always feel it like beacon, or light radiating from you, being the source of all power, that attracts to you people and things.          As you have a physical body, matter that you can touch, so You have mental body, you can not touch it because it's very subtle, but it is still a body. So how does it work: When you have a thought, you impress your mental body, you modify it by this thought, exactly like a child modifies a sand with his forms, making different figures depending on the form. So, Your thought makes a form in your mental body matter, this form impresses same thing through the ethereal mass (mediator) on the mental body of the one you thinking of. And This person acts according on the character of this modification in the mental body. So, You see, Everything you think, is in your mind, meaning each your thought modifies your mental body contacting others through medium and brings to you results.   But what is important how to center one self:   Now, when you know that every sad or negative feeling and thought literally impresses your body, bringing you like results , you will treat your thoughts and feelings very carefully and much easier.   It's like when you have a new suit (from Zegna or other designer:) You won't just allow someoneh to spill orange juice  on your suit, just because you are polite and let him enjoy it. You won't also take pink ice cream and smash it unto your tie or… you get my point I hope :) So exactly same way, as soon as you notice that you feel sad, or lonely, or negative in some way, remember you are literally damaging your mental body, and it will be much easy stop from feeling it and turn in opposite direction, for example imagining something nice, so, that you feel nice.   When You know, that, Your thoughts and feelings direct the action of other people, that you are the director, all else are actors who do exactly as you direct… then you won't spend time on negative emotion… why waste time, if you know that you can by exercising right thought direct actions of others…

Remember, it's only YOU, no one else… All else are You pushed out. All is actually inside You and You alone decide what to experience and how to direct others.   So, one method is , knowing how all works, turn your attention to opposite good feeling and thought. And second, just stop all thought, leave it and “get upstairs” as i call it :0) Just imagine that you are lifted and you are the sky now. Not the clouds (thoughts) but the pure and clear sky, just melt yourself in it become a NO THING.     It's actually just like training muscles. When You pay attention to your Power/Center, God/Center inside of you… with a time it will become a habit, just like a muscle, it will get strong and big and be there all the time. So, you just need to pay attention to it, feel it for a month a so, and then it will carry you on it's powerful wings!     

Right now I feel that the most important thing is to always feel that center inside of you (literally feeling it).  It's God Power inside you, that knows all and can do everything, It's Your unlimited power, don't redirect it in some other place or person, keep it inside of you.  If you wish for something, instead of focusing your attention on object outside of you, bring that object or person inside of you to the center of your power, then you'll manifest it in your life. Just like you are a cone (upside down), inside of this cone is your Center/God Power, If you wish for something don't dwell some place outside , just bring  in your imagination that object inside your cone and keep it there, it will come to you in real life too. All things inside and come only from inside. :)   In closing, thank you. I know how often I used this word, but I am so grateful.   Always happy to help, and Thank You Zaadz/Gaiam for the wonderful gift of the 'Seed System'.

One quick note, because I am always looking to expand my own knowledge base. There were a few profiles on Zaadz which I've always enjoyed, but they did not contain the box where you can give them 'Seeds', is there some secret to this?

Love & Gratitude,

Om Bastet - Great post!  I, too, prefer the name “seed sharing system” or seed system.

Earon

We experience growth and learning when we have “aha!” or “ouch” moments. It should be okay in this community to be able to express how we feel about those moments, whether we use seeds or comments. Thankfully, we are indeed free to comment…. no one is going to lock us up (yet) if we remark negatively or in some way that makes someone unhappy. Let's see how the seed system actually works before we try to predict how it will work based on our own bias. This is a large group and it will be interesting to see how folks actually end up using this idea. There are a lot of great comments here. Thank you to all of you who have posted your ideas.

I've made a new entry on the thinktank – it seems MANY people are very unclear about the meaning of Flag This and are flagging things they think they are giving positive feedback to.. I've not tried clicking on the link anywhere, but I'm hoping there is a pop up window that makes it abundantly clear what it means.

Sandra

Joyce, I think that's a good summation of where we are at - and how we can move forward.

Sandra, that is an excellent suggestion and I second it.  Most of us use multiple websites and each has its own nuances and definitions.  I like it when there is a confirmation of our intent after we push the button to take some major action.  So, when we hit a button to “FLAG” something, we might get a pop-up that tells us the consequences of the action and gives us an opportunity to change our decision or that gives us additional options.

On another website, I unthinkingly “Flagged” one of my own postings, not realizing that it was a “negative” thing.  And there was no way to reverse the flagging there.

And, thanks to the Zaadz team for what I see as exemplary transparency through this experiment/debate.  All systems have hidden rules and “double secret probation” type stuff of which we are never aware.  We don't know when our voice is being stiffled.  To witness a system where the information is publicly discussed - and where debate is engaged - is astounding to me.  I am grateful for being allowed this inside glimpse into Zaadz!  

Peace,

Earon

Great feedback Sandra & Earon. We will take that into account for the flagging. Thanks for trying to help people understand Sandra. Joyce, thanks for your comments on the negative feedback option as well.

And, thanks for the kind words. We do strive for transparency.

Oh, and L'ei thanks for all of your help with the applications and for sharing your experience and providing a bit of a context for the challenges we have been facing with the previous system.

Okay, so I understand the seeds, but what is this round circle next to my name on my profile page?  I'm a little worried, because it says “Glow_1” when I hover my mouse over it, but when I see my friend Dave's circle, his is all filled in, and says “Glow_20”… egads!  I am not fulfilling some sort of requirement!  I'm only a Glow 1!!!!  What do I do?  (What on Earth does this mean?)

Lisa, I just noticed that my circle is actually  a square - and I'm a Glow_0.  So, you may be ahead of me.  I hope that's of some solace to you.

Peace,
Earon

Lisa - yippeeee!! I have a Glow 0 too!! To be honest, I enjoy zaadz as it is, and i don't want to bother about what this means!!
Peace!

Thanks to the Team and all that have taken the time to comment.  I think this thread alone shows how well comments and interaction actually can be a community forum.  There are several opinions, responses, and with pro/con included.  No buttons, flags or whatever diggitey doodles,  gold or silver stars, awards or degrades.  Not even a sit in the corner with a cone hat!     But,  I honestly think, it has greatly benefited all that added to it or has followed it through.   
I do add and agree, thank you for at least giving a test run to an idea, tweaking it, and seeing what makes it work!   Always, progressive and intuitive as all trial and error but all results never please or completely satisfy everyone.  It will be a good reminder to some tolerance, compatibility, new insights and viewpoint.  The Mother of Invention!  

 

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your support in this. We love our community and we respect you all so very much. We always need your inputs. I am off to spread some seeds of love now. Enjoy!

Appreciating all the wonderful feedback that we've been getting to improve the seed system. 

Has the anti-seed thing really been stopped? My bank continues to go down even when I am not giving away seeds. Just curious…..

S
As usual you embody positive energy. Blessings
http://www.movingfrommetowe.com/

KareAnderson, I checked it out, and ended up zBookmarking The Point website! Thanks!

Namaste, OM Bastet