Help
Sign In
community
November 2009 
On Zaadz, Gaia, and Being the Change.
Posted on Dec 20th, 2007
by 
Gaia Team
Gaia Team
Phew.
I'm sure everyone's busy with the holiday season, but if you have a minute (or more) please read this! It's about you.
(It's also got some links to some images that you'll probably want to see. :)
If you've been reading the newsletters (or keeping up with the Team blog or participating in the Gaia Community pod), you'll know we've got some major developments coming up in early 2008. We'll be keeping the community updated here as the weeks unfold, but here's some news to start.
The first heads-up is for a new uber-feature, which we're calling myGaia. Imagine your Zaadz profile crossed with iGoogle (or any other customizable home page) and you'll get a sense of what it'll be like: in essence, a landing page that incorporates not just items from the community, but widgets like Google maps, news feeds, a calendar, your daily horoscope, and the local weather.
We've got a few mockups (thank you Jackson!) for you to have a look at, so you can see both what the page will look like and start thinking about which of the three themes (the usual Zaadz gold, the purple + earth Gaia, and a third artistic option) you like best. (And there'll be more templates to come; suggestions are welcome!). In short, though, we're hoping this'll make the site more fun and more useful.
(Oh. And widget requests are welcomed. Anything you'd like to see?)
The next thing has to do with the redesign that we've been working on.
This might take a bit longer to explain, so settle in. I'll share as best I can.
Again, just to remind everyone, this past August Brian sold Zaadz to Gaiam. After meeting Jirka, our CEO, and hearing him share his vision of a global Gaia community, the decision felt wonderfully right—it had been Jirka's dream (for nearly as long as I've been alive) to help nurture a community of conscious individuals who understand what it means to be the change, who wanted to commit to supporting each other's inner transformation and in the process change the world. This vision was so deeply in alignment with what Zaadz was all about that a certain passing of the torch—or the contribution of the Zaadz seed to this great project—was utterly natural.
After that meeting, the Zaadz crew came to meet the small group who'd already come together during the summer to grow this Gaia vision (most of whom were already Zaadzsters. :). We clicked immediately. During that gathering, we talked a bit then about what was most logical when it came to both the future of our little community and the vision and dream for Gaia... and the consensus of both our groups was that Zaadz should just become that Gaia Community.
From the perspective of our existing team, this was both the most frightening and the most exciting possibility. We understood the blunt fact that we'd been acquired, and, looking down the road at five or ten or twenty years in the future, thought that no matter what the short term plan, Zaadz would (inevitably) be somehow rebranded, or at the very least, more strongly incorporated, into any larger Gaia Community that might be created.
So instead of allowing something to be constructed around us, or resisting this change, we thought, why can't we just BE that community? We'd been acquired because of our spirit and energy and our passion for this vision, so why not use this as an opportunity to let our little seed flower? No matter how we chose to approach it, Zaadz had been bought by Gaiam. We could either throw ourselves fearlessly into that new reality, or choose to resist it.
What can we say? We took the Zaadz approach. :)
And obviously the small Gaia crew was thrilled.
Of course, the issue of timing was a big one. Should we attempt a slow and subtle transition, gradually phasing out our little Zaadz logo and allowing Gaia to slowly emerge over the weeks and months to come, and trying to disturb the site as little as possible? Should we wait for another year or so (or more) to see what happens with our existing Zaadz team, cautiously making sure that this was really the 'right' choice? Do we take a deep breathe and just leap? How to proceed?
Part of the decision was made by the site itself. We'd been looking forward, for ages, to a big redesign. Zaadz is a wonderful and attractive and appealing little place, but as I'm sure all of you will agree, navigating the labyrinths of tools and features and people and pods takes a tremendous amount of patience. It's difficult even for long-time members to remember where various areas and offerings are located. The nested tabs can get (super) confusing. Obviously, the organization was determined far more by when we added things rather than some pre-designed plan. :) However, we didn't have a designer (or time!) to devote to revamping the layout.
When the acquisition happened, we suddenly had the resources. (SUCH a relief.) And to us it made sense, instead of first re-doing the site and then wondering about a larger Gaia transition, to just wrap the two projects together.
So that's the back story to what'll be happening early on in the new year. A new layout, a new look, and a new name.
I'd be lying if I said that at one level I wasn't broken-hearted and a little scared about this future development (I don't know about the rest of the Team, but Zaadz changed my life, and even if I know that the mission and values and people and purpose and vision and spirit are going to not just survive, but thrive, I've still got a huge attachment to that little seed : ). But there's something so much more powerful than that feeling, though: after all, as I wrote above, our task is to be the change, and to embrace and create this next transition with the same energy and love and passion that we're all so committed to bringing into the world. I have no doubt that we're (all of us!) are completely capable of facilitating the birth (or sprouting) of Gaia with that beautiful spirit—and that, as a result, our positive impact in the world will be even greater.
Anyway. This was just the long, long way to introduce the mockups we have of the redesign. Again, Jackson had a challenge evolving our original aesthetic into Gaia's earth + purple theme, but we're incredibly proud of what he's done and seriously impressed with the outcome. So when you're ready, there's a screenshot here of what our new landing page will look like, and another, here, of the logged in version. This change wont happen for a few weeks, at least, so there's time to talk and discuss... and, as before, the Gaia pod is waiting for your voices and responses and ideas.
This is long enough, though, and I know all of us on the Team are waiting with a combination of anxiety and excitement to hear, instead, the community's response to the urgent call from Gaia that we've so clearly heard.
And if can't quite make it out, just be still for a bit. Listen. To my mind, there's no real difference between the call from your heart and the call of the planet. Just listen. Can you hear?
Posted by: Siona
I'm sure everyone's busy with the holiday season, but if you have a minute (or more) please read this! It's about you.
(It's also got some links to some images that you'll probably want to see. :)
If you've been reading the newsletters (or keeping up with the Team blog or participating in the Gaia Community pod), you'll know we've got some major developments coming up in early 2008. We'll be keeping the community updated here as the weeks unfold, but here's some news to start.
The first heads-up is for a new uber-feature, which we're calling myGaia. Imagine your Zaadz profile crossed with iGoogle (or any other customizable home page) and you'll get a sense of what it'll be like: in essence, a landing page that incorporates not just items from the community, but widgets like Google maps, news feeds, a calendar, your daily horoscope, and the local weather.
We've got a few mockups (thank you Jackson!) for you to have a look at, so you can see both what the page will look like and start thinking about which of the three themes (the usual Zaadz gold, the purple + earth Gaia, and a third artistic option) you like best. (And there'll be more templates to come; suggestions are welcome!). In short, though, we're hoping this'll make the site more fun and more useful.
(Oh. And widget requests are welcomed. Anything you'd like to see?)
The next thing has to do with the redesign that we've been working on.
This might take a bit longer to explain, so settle in. I'll share as best I can.
Again, just to remind everyone, this past August Brian sold Zaadz to Gaiam. After meeting Jirka, our CEO, and hearing him share his vision of a global Gaia community, the decision felt wonderfully right—it had been Jirka's dream (for nearly as long as I've been alive) to help nurture a community of conscious individuals who understand what it means to be the change, who wanted to commit to supporting each other's inner transformation and in the process change the world. This vision was so deeply in alignment with what Zaadz was all about that a certain passing of the torch—or the contribution of the Zaadz seed to this great project—was utterly natural.
After that meeting, the Zaadz crew came to meet the small group who'd already come together during the summer to grow this Gaia vision (most of whom were already Zaadzsters. :). We clicked immediately. During that gathering, we talked a bit then about what was most logical when it came to both the future of our little community and the vision and dream for Gaia... and the consensus of both our groups was that Zaadz should just become that Gaia Community.
From the perspective of our existing team, this was both the most frightening and the most exciting possibility. We understood the blunt fact that we'd been acquired, and, looking down the road at five or ten or twenty years in the future, thought that no matter what the short term plan, Zaadz would (inevitably) be somehow rebranded, or at the very least, more strongly incorporated, into any larger Gaia Community that might be created.
So instead of allowing something to be constructed around us, or resisting this change, we thought, why can't we just BE that community? We'd been acquired because of our spirit and energy and our passion for this vision, so why not use this as an opportunity to let our little seed flower? No matter how we chose to approach it, Zaadz had been bought by Gaiam. We could either throw ourselves fearlessly into that new reality, or choose to resist it.
What can we say? We took the Zaadz approach. :)
And obviously the small Gaia crew was thrilled.
Of course, the issue of timing was a big one. Should we attempt a slow and subtle transition, gradually phasing out our little Zaadz logo and allowing Gaia to slowly emerge over the weeks and months to come, and trying to disturb the site as little as possible? Should we wait for another year or so (or more) to see what happens with our existing Zaadz team, cautiously making sure that this was really the 'right' choice? Do we take a deep breathe and just leap? How to proceed?
Part of the decision was made by the site itself. We'd been looking forward, for ages, to a big redesign. Zaadz is a wonderful and attractive and appealing little place, but as I'm sure all of you will agree, navigating the labyrinths of tools and features and people and pods takes a tremendous amount of patience. It's difficult even for long-time members to remember where various areas and offerings are located. The nested tabs can get (super) confusing. Obviously, the organization was determined far more by when we added things rather than some pre-designed plan. :) However, we didn't have a designer (or time!) to devote to revamping the layout.
When the acquisition happened, we suddenly had the resources. (SUCH a relief.) And to us it made sense, instead of first re-doing the site and then wondering about a larger Gaia transition, to just wrap the two projects together.
So that's the back story to what'll be happening early on in the new year. A new layout, a new look, and a new name.
I'd be lying if I said that at one level I wasn't broken-hearted and a little scared about this future development (I don't know about the rest of the Team, but Zaadz changed my life, and even if I know that the mission and values and people and purpose and vision and spirit are going to not just survive, but thrive, I've still got a huge attachment to that little seed : ). But there's something so much more powerful than that feeling, though: after all, as I wrote above, our task is to be the change, and to embrace and create this next transition with the same energy and love and passion that we're all so committed to bringing into the world. I have no doubt that we're (all of us!) are completely capable of facilitating the birth (or sprouting) of Gaia with that beautiful spirit—and that, as a result, our positive impact in the world will be even greater.
"The seed cannot know what is going to happen, as the seed has never known the flower. And the seed cannot even believe that he has the potentiality to become a beautiful flower." - Osho
Anyway. This was just the long, long way to introduce the mockups we have of the redesign. Again, Jackson had a challenge evolving our original aesthetic into Gaia's earth + purple theme, but we're incredibly proud of what he's done and seriously impressed with the outcome. So when you're ready, there's a screenshot here of what our new landing page will look like, and another, here, of the logged in version. This change wont happen for a few weeks, at least, so there's time to talk and discuss... and, as before, the Gaia pod is waiting for your voices and responses and ideas.
This is long enough, though, and I know all of us on the Team are waiting with a combination of anxiety and excitement to hear, instead, the community's response to the urgent call from Gaia that we've so clearly heard.
And if can't quite make it out, just be still for a bit. Listen. To my mind, there's no real difference between the call from your heart and the call of the planet. Just listen. Can you hear?
Posted by: Siona
Access: Public
So how is this going to change the community aspect of zaadz, other than the name, astetics, resources, and features. I saw something in the previews that said gaia currency, how does that work, do you really want to bring a monatary system into zaadz?
Also how is gaia going to be put into zaadz, will this affect thinkarete? On the gaia pod it says that gaia is going to preserve this space, just wondering this stuff. If there are answers in a discussion already just point me to them please.
Siona, in the third to last paragraph, two hyperlinks from the words “here” were not created, or at least I couldn't see them. Maybe they duplicate ones above, but just thought I would call these to your attention.
The quote from Osho says it pretty well. The death or end of the world for the seed (or the caterpillar) is the birth of the flower, or butterfly. Thus it was, and shall be, and we can all just take a deep breath, knowing we're gonna love some things and really dislike others. What else is possible? To me, it's the fundamentals that are important. As long as i resonate with the fundamentals, I can put up with the details. So that's all I pay attention to, the basic values and basic implementation of those values.
Blessings to all, and extreme gratitude to those who so thoughtfully devote their lives to creating this community-space,
OM Bastet
Hi Siona, you are a blessing. As always, I don't know about all these things, and I can trust you. As long as we stay connected to each other, and can continue our dialogues, everything will be OK. I realize that this will be challenging and upsetting for some people, and I think that's good. They are responding to things that need to be responded to that I am not seeing. Personally, I just want to stay connected, because you guys help me live my life better. Thank you all.
thanks, OM! links are now added :)
I'm a Zaadzster forever.
Yet now that I'm finally getting a handle on this whole Gaiam/Gaia mission, I have this new sense in my bones… It's allowed me to make the transition already in my mind.
Zaadz is a nice brand. Always has been.
Gaia is a potentially great brand.
Yet it's an incredibly huge footprint to fill… to be the one place to represent that name.
If it were just a brand slapped onto any old software development and community support team, I would be apprehensive, and skeptical.
But to sit here, and realize… that this is maybe the smartest, most aligned, most empowered, and most exuberant team that could be put together… I lean back and think… we've got a real chance at doing this. Making Gaia on the web happen, and ultimately bringing its power to individuals who make the change happen at the community level… this might actually work!
Get this, beloved reader… We are not going to stop until resonance comes alive…. a resonant earth. We have a plan. And Gaia is a great name for it.
Wait till you see what's coming.
:) :)
Sounds awesome and Looks awesome, Siona…thanks for the heads up.
I'm excited! I wholeheartedly embrace these new changes…as it all will ease usablility and connectivity.
Zaadzsters by any other name would still be sweet. =)
2008 is a 10 Year…Let's Do This Thing! ;-)
Siona, the butterfly concept does mean change, but we've been developing these wings as long as there has been Zaadz…flight is inevitable, scary, unknown, exciting, liberating! Zaadz has changed my life too. I think it has changed all of us, because we are beginning to understand what we have created. If Zaadzsters just open their hearts and minds to the idea that Zaadz has succeeded in cultivating a new way for the world community to live and now it's just time to LIVE THE VISION, we truly will become the change we want to see on the planet. I'm for continuing to dare to dream, to dream BIG, and to make the dreams come true!
Please thank everyone who continues to work so hard to keep things flowing. We are all blessed by your efforts.
I know that Gaia bought zaadz but does our name have to disappear. Can't zaadz and gaia come together side by side, Gaia-Zaadz. I could better identify with that.
In addition to the I-hope-constructive criticisms and non/dis-resonances I have voiced in Gaia Community pod (and a few more on the way) I say
Gawd, Mamakat, ditto ditto ditto. Thanks for saying all that!
Blessings, OM Bastet
Will it say powered by zaadz, thats what is showed in the pics. Just wondering…
The idea of Zaadz being the foundation of the Gaia concept we're building, rather than a single part of it, really did evolve with incredible synchronicity: I remember sitting next to Jason, the Director of Web Development for Gaiam, as the larger group discussed the possibilities for the future, and feeling strongly that we needed to be not a *part* of that future, but the *foundation* for that future. Only a few minutes later, Jason and I turned to each other and in the same moment both expressed exactly that… As the technical leads for Zaadz and Gaia, we committed to following that idea.
Only later did we hear that Siona, David, Jirka and the others involved in the meetings 'at the top' had *also* come to the same conclusion.
But it really was obvious, to look back on it. We really do love Zaadz and by extension Gaia, and the visions and dreams we've been aspiring to since we began. That energy comes from all of you and your passions, and it inspired an even greater seed to germinate and begin to grow.
I can tell you this: we're committed to connecting, informing and inspiring those who are passionate about living in a better way, in a better world. What's coming in the next year - every last bit of it - will arrive in support of that vision!
The changes sound good, and I like the idea of merging multiple functionalities (like an iGoogle) into Zaadz. I look forward to seeing this latest iteration of zaadz as it blends into gaiam.
You know what, I changed my last name with my marriage; people with multiple marriages do the same; kids have names changed; some people have their first names changed in a spiritual awakening. AND WE DIDN'T CHOOSE OUR FIRST NAME EITHER; so… I'm okay with Gaia; zaadz stays in my heart; and any change that will take place, will change again.
That's what we're here for; right!
Siona, I thank you for your bravery, courage, compassion and consistent communication!
Zaadz and Gaia teams too!
This zaadz business is exciting. From the dutch word meaning seed. Why Dutch? I have read alot about change. There are many goals and ideas that I like. Some members seem to be newer than others. Jake seems to be involved in the nuts and bolts of this operation. I am totally new. My name is Zack, and I am a freshman at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Actually my wife and I are attending together. I am thirty-five years old and she, well, she is twenty nine. I know I am going to get a degree in something, but i don't know what. Maybe I will declare and pursue a major because of a zaadz person's influence.
Welcome all and hello my fellow zaadzters! Its your little bro Lenin checking in. alls good on this side, me and my girl are moving intogether soon and i passed most of my classes. Working at JC Pennys at the mall banging out that guap in commition, Funny how the day i joined zaadz my life started to look up; november 24th my b day, i met Rosie (my girlfriend), I got a better job, moved out my mamas house ( more like got kicked out ),and my attitude towards life has changed. Lifes too short to walk around pissed off all the time, we all must at times remind ourselves to exhale. So yeh yo i'm glad more people are joining the family and like i always say a closed mouth does not get fed. so holla back at me if you got a question or just wanna chat.
Looking forward to how this co-branding and HUGE webdev project keeps on rolling!
I'm not envious of the work ahead for the web team. :) But I am glad that this is happening! And I'm psyched that Zaadz is doing everything it can to keep the aliveness of Brian's original vision.
You guys rule.
It's not just a name. We, the zaadz community collectively, have created a sort of “zaadz” consciousness of its own, with our own catchy zaadzy language. If the name has to be canned then somehow it must be done so that the identity we have come to recognize, remains. Similar to an assimilation of one culture into another, important things must stay due to their value to the original members. In such a diverse communitiy as zaadz the culture means one thing to one and one thing to another so It seems that it must become a personal “quest” to maintain it, rather than something imposed from the corporate “above”.
So it seems each of us must ask ourselve what does zaadz mean to me and how does one maintain that and yet leave room to grow into something larger?
In a (short) word, I view the “changes” that are to be imposed, as an act of violence and rape against the original purpose, intent and charecter of Zaadz.
After looking at the mock-ups, it seems to me that you just want to be a commercial “new aged” yahoo portal.
The culture and community of Zaadz will no loger exist as it has been since inception. It will now be stamped with and crushed under foot of a corporate entity.
That's a pretty raw assessment, esp considering the content of the site is literally unchanged in the screenshots, aside from an updated banner and a color shift.
So let me give you an equally raw retort to your last two paragraphs:
Like hell it will.
After the launch, we're going to be continuing the tradition and improvement of what's already on the site, and focusing on even more heartfelt features that bring us closer to each other and get good work done. Better pods, making quote wisdom much more prominent, tighter micro-communities, elevating causes, a stronger local focus, and something called a resonance engine.
Yahoo? Not even close, my friend.
There's not a corporate foot big enough to tamp our energy or crush our will. And the only corporate foot in our vicinity is one that's kicking the seat of our pants, to get further down the road we were already on, and faster.
Will we wake up one morning [or night] to a changed site and changed name, or will we get a heads-up?
Hi all. I love your response Chris. Right on.
And, Meenaskhi, we are doing the heads up as we speak and you are part of it, right here and now. That's why we haven't changed the design yet. Rather we are dialoging with the community first. This is the heads-up and the poll for feedback and first impressions. So keep letting us know. You are doing an amazing job.
I'll be the first to admit that change isn't always easy for me, but you know what? I like the way the new pages look… I'm in. :-) I'll miss the Zaadz as I've known and loved it, but I'm open to growth and change as long as it's not just for the sake of doing it. I do think that these changes will help us get closer to our goals and what has been the long term vision. Maybe it's not exactly how it was envisioned, but then again, maybe it is. :-)
Estin Enai - Panta Rei
Hello Everyone -
I just wanted to share something with you (with the encouragement of Jessica). I have been an Ambassador for Zaadz for a year and a half now. I am excited about the changes that are coming for Zaadz with the new partnership with Gaia. The templates for the redesign look beautiful. The artist/ web designer in me is super happy to be able to apply different skins. I just wanted to the team that I think that you are all doing a great job in developing this site, giving the community a focus and purpose. I admire you all for your dedication and commitment to your goals. Whatever 'growing pains' the site might experience as a result of the transition, I feel that they will be relatively minor ones - and we will all grow together through it.
Above, I wrote two phrases that I personally live my life by - Estin Enai - “being is” and Panta Rei - “everything changes”. The truth is, one of the only constants in this universe is change (the other is love). I am proud of you all for leading us towards this change with the love and support that is necessary to make it as smooth a transition as possible. Even if there are minor explosions from people, strong emotions, or outright hostility - that is all part of the learning process - and you have provided us all with a brilliant opportunity to grow and learn more not only about the nature of Zaadz itself, but about ourselves. This is very beautiful.
I hope that you know you are doing something very good here - I am proud to be part of this community.
Much love to you all,
Leigh-Anne
I am totally thrilled about the changes that are coming. I absolutely love the Osho quote and feel that it's so darn true; we are the seed and we're on the verge of sprouting something we can't even imagine, but sprout we will. The seed can't stop itself from sprouting anymore than the water can stop itself from flowing.
I'm going to pop over to the Gaia pod and say hello!
Grow,
Anna
10 to the power 10 IS 10billion souls 2 BE connected as ONE SOUL
GO BABY GO and SO BE IT
I do not know until this post what is gaim community or zaadz community - whatever either zaadz or gaim community i just give least care to community even i just hate when people talk about communities, groupings, countries and so other useless and senseless topics.
To me Oneness is spiritualism, enlightenment. just endeavor yourself for establishing connectedness with every living things and processes on the universe. i am sure peace, ecstasy,bliss, contentment and so other positive desires by human kind get accomplished. just my friends refine your soul with connectedness - commune with universe. i just find this on zaadz so i love it so much.
I just do not know any community I know people here a true and refined people.
Until now being on zaadz and through apprehension of my perceive I conclude that zaadz is doing remarkably excellent in bringing people together, to conduct oneness and teach people to realise connectedness, to become more human and spiritualistic follower. this is my own experience that I have ushered since until may resources across the world and so has learned many things and so has met many and many like-minded, kind-hearted, noble souls from different countries of the world of those visiting is my dream although.
I am so excited and impelled about zaadz that to express it through words will be difficult for me. I am in love with Zaadz.. when i be at zaadz i feel as if i am being approaching toward wisdom and lightness since i read so many wise, informative writings and enjoy the glamarous, incredible, tranquil planet and its processes through pictures and get to know about other cultures, arts and people.
lots of lots of lots blessings, wishes and prays from owais and India to every dearest zaadzsters. Thank you so much for reading it my friend. sprinkling wishes and blessings to everyone.
anandmevya bhavanti ….
Namaste !
I am so glad I finally ran across this. All the naming game now makes some sense.
Blessed Is,
Jeremiah
I like the way you all share what is about to change with the members of the community. It lets me know that you all believe that we, the members, are an integral portion of this community and have a right to suggest things, rather than just sit and let things happen. I really enjoy the manner in which this site works and I plan to suggest it to others!!
ABAgail
Life is Fair
Well the message was clear. Brian knew it felt right. That is all I needed to know. It could only mean growth for all, in many ways. Zaadz was his baby and he knew she/he needed to change. :) Some of my very best friends in the world are here. I thank all that are a part of this beautiful entity. Jxxx
Hey Team,
I'm looking forward to see the new look. Is this the place to say I just l LOVE the artistic option for the new site? or, where to comment?
Great widgets: Does the Google maps include the possibility of marking past & future travels? I think travels would be a great topic to share & inspire each other with
Great work you guyz :-D
love, laughter & lightness tara.. <3
These guys are movers and shakers. The Zaadz initiative is one of the signs of our times and nothing less than a miracle of the internet. It will be no time at all until they are noticed by all sorts of powers for positive change. I am sooooo inspired to have been a part of this, and hold hands with all of you as we look, as children, to our futures!
I'll miss the Zaadz name; it is so full of sense,creative(growing)energy and very original !
I will miss the Zaadz name and brand as well…otherwise, I think this is going to be a great partnership.
So are we going to be Gaia-ers, now? :-/
These comments continue to be wonderfully interesting and even inspiring.
James, you know, I have had the same thoughts.
owais, I am puzzled what you mean by this:
even i just hate when people talk about communities, groupings, countries and so other useless and senseless topics.
What's wrong, in your view, with people who voluntarily associate with each other for friendship or to achieve something they can't do alone? That seems useful and sensible, to me. I think sometimes the One likes to clump its individuals into groups.
Groups created and maintained through the use of force, however, that's another thing entirely. That's not voluntary, and does seem “senseless” to me, too.
“Hate” seems like the opposite of “blessing.” Are you unwilling to view Zaadz as a community, not just a collection of connecting individuals? I see a community as a single living spirit, part of the One but bigger and more of a Oneness than just a bunch of connecting individuals. I wish you could bless a community instead of hating it.
Please correct me if I am misunderstanding what you said.
Team, forgive me if this comment seems off-topic. I don't think it is too far afield.
Blessings, Rev. O.M. Bastet
Hey namesister,
Gai-aers? -or maybe Gaizaadstians, not to get lost in the transition.. he he
love, laughter & lightness tara <3
Gaiaers? Gaizaadstians? I don't know what you guys are trying to do, whether you're trying to reinvent linguistics or just joke around but I think 'Gaian' is a long established word that refers to 'those aligned with Gaia'.
Global Citizen, Gaian… its all good, anyway. Just thought I'd bring up that everything other than 'Gaian' that I've seen kind of looks … well. Silly?
Of course, the old school of us, the hard core, are gonna still be Zaadzsters at heart I guess. Imagine all the people who will come in the future, when Zaadz turns into mythology. I can see it now:
“Well… once upon a time there was a website called Zaadz. And it changed my life. The end!”
I think “Gaian” has a rather nice ring to it. :-) I know most people don't realize it and haven't experienced it (yet).. but we ARE Gaia as part of the Body of God in Creation.. so this seems to be a very natural movement and is totally in alignment with that.
The new landing page looks great as well.. and I'm definitely looking forward to greater ease in navigating the site!
peace/love
John
This has been one exciting journey! An honor to share it with all of you. :)
Gaian sounds nice, but I kinda liked being a Zaadster…but there isn't really a good hybridization of names that doesn't sound silly. Gaister? Hee-hee! Gadzooks!
Changes to the site look great and also look more user friendly. I have a friend who kind of gave up on the site because she couldn't figure out how to navigate around. I'm hoping this'll bring her back.
:D I'm so happyyy. This is gonna be great!
The “myGaia” preview images made everything very real for me. And I'm very excited~! :) I like the designs and the colors, and the different options. I read that there will be changes in the navigation system, but actually *seeing* the new tabs in the previews – wow. Fantastic work; all of you lovely people need commended for this.
I hope we'll get to customize our “myGaia” profile banner images! That would be awesome.
I really love Zaadz and I'm glad to see big and beautiful changes coming from the merge with Gaia. Whatever happens, I'm in.
<3
There is such love in the Gaia site; and zaadzsters have become more popular than ever. Seeds are postulated into growing and are thriving quite well as Gaia. I am in the business of helping mankind and support this team as I feel we have similar purposes which I align with. The empire is the empire of the spirit. Our strength on Earth is our understanding, our good order, and our tolerant behavior. All that has become great can become greater. We have an amazing leader in back of our team–Siona–and I shall do all in my power to help on your expansion. May this site flourish and prosper.
It is so sad Bastet you could not understand what did i mean to say, indeed you taking yourself negatively my dear friend, please read it again what i wrote ;
I do not know until this post what is gaim community or zaadz community - whatever either zaadz or gaim community i just give least care to community even i just hate when people talk about communities, groupings, countries and so other useless and senseless topics. hope understood what i mean to say, now let us move forward, please read this now ;
To me Oneness is spiritualism, enlightenment. just endeavor yourself for establishing connectedness with every living things and processes on the universe. i am sure peace, ecstasy,bliss, contentment and so other positive desires by human kind get accomplished. just my friends refine your soul with connectedness - commune with universe. i just find this on zaadz so i love it so much.
I just do not know any community I know people here a true and refined people. hope you can understand me what I mean to say my dear friend.
you say this -” with people who voluntarily associate with each other for friendship or to achieve something they can't do alone? That seems useful and sensible, to me. I think sometimes the One likes to clump its individuals into groups.” Lol what is the difference between your saying and mine saying nothing but difference of english use, well I am not so good at english.in other word what is your view is similar to mine. hope now this can let you understand explicitly. Thank you for debating with me my dear friend hope you can relate me better now. please do ask me if you have any question.
Please read further what I think for Zaadz, I am in Love with zaadz ;
Until now being on zaadz and through apprehension of my perceive I conclude that zaadz is doing remarkably excellent in bringing people together, to conduct oneness and teach people to realise connectedness, to become more human and spiritualistic follower. this is my own experience that I have ushered since until may resources across the world and so has learned many things and so has met many and many like-minded, kind-hearted, noble souls from different countries of the world of those visiting is my dream although.
I am so excited and impelled about zaadz that to express it through words will be difficult for me. I am in love with Zaadz.. when i be at zaadz i feel as if i am being approaching toward wisdom and lightness since i read so many wise, informative writings and enjoy the glamarous, incredible, tranquil planet and its processes through pictures and get to know about other cultures, arts and people.
lots of lots of lots blessings, wishes and prays from owais and India to every dearest zaadzsters. Thank you so much for reading it my friend. sprinkling wishes and blessings to everyone.
anandmevya bhavanti ….
Namaste !
When tribes become nations, they tend to split into many branches. If each branch carries the same message…Enlightenment through Self Realization…this transition will be profound.
Healing to us All…
Sun
Trusting the Divine Intelligence that flows through us as us to unfold its own Perfection in all things..going with the loving flow and loving the flow here… blessings.Christos
I've enjoyed the individual customization that's possible within the Zaadz system. Hopefully this will not be lost within this new format ?
“Do you ever feel that everyone around you is asleep ? Are you tired of waking up alone ?” seems a bit egotistical and presumptuous to me. And “Lets change the world !” bothers me as well… because THE world, or the world that exists without human generated 'mess', is a 'Paradise'. OUR world, which is the construct or fabrication we create and then superimpose atop the real world so that we can live within this 'fabricated' reality… is a mess of biblical proportions. I think it would be a lot more accurate, insightful and progressive for Zaadz/Gaia to say: “Change our world !”… instead of perpetuating catchy 'new agey' phrases that are skewed at best. Of course… you could always skirt this whole issue by saying: “Be the change !” which Zaadz has done in a number of places previously.
About the demo 'screenshot' pages: (1) Better Logo please, (2) 'Featured Members' ? Is this a 'contest' now to fulfill criteria that will get you anointed as 'featured' ?
“Let's wake up together” sucks ! “Be the change” is much, much better.
'Most Loved Interests' (not OUR Most Loved Interests)… and 'Popular Blogs' should be prominent and lead the page.
Is 'featured members' advertising ? Have they PAID to be listed as 'featured' ? If so… please stick them at the bottom PLEASE ! And in general, can you get the marketing stuff off to the sides and bottom margins ? That would be nice.
Also… the personal page seems like it's the same as the Home Page… but the 'personal' aspect gets to squeeze in a bit at the top. What good is that ? Can't a persons profile page be about THEM… not all about more advertising of the master site and it's contents ?
So far this all seems off to a bumpy start as far as I'm concerned. I'd hate to see Zaadz lose its value as a place for original creators to meet and interact.
NO to Homogenization ! YES to creative options !
Being understanding and acquienscent runs counter to the very essence of Zaadz. I hope that the Zaadz team doesn't just roll over here. I hope that they FIGHT to preserve the essence of what Zaadz is and has been.
Good luck !
Bliss…
Richie
Niet Meerder Zaadz?
I read this all with a lot of trepidation.
It is very true, as wise MamaKat so wisely says, that flight is frightening as well as exciting and liberating. These are the same words Siona used describing how the Team felt with the idea of Zaadz “Becoming” Gaia.
I understand the dual feelings well - though I am one of those to whom the fright looms large. I don’t like change. I looked at all the mock ups and felt nothing but fear. I don’t like any of them. Then I remind myself what I know about myself. I don’t like anything new at first. I want to see what I am used to seeing. To me what I see is what IS in many ways. I wouldn’t like any change, not matter what it was. I can get past that - it is something I work on constantly.
As many people said above, Zaadz has been a blessing to me. To begin with, I was captivated by the concept of the seeds. I loved the metaphor. ‘Faery Wishes’ we called them. I was two and three years old when I first stood blowing the perfect little helicopters into the mountain wind. You get a wish for every little parachute that flies - did you know that? And they are so beautiful - so airy, ethereal, gossamer, diaphanous. When I first came to zaadz, I had a feeling under my skin … something else is coming … nothing stays a seed … what comes next?
I bought myself a beautiful paper-weight ~ a perfect blown dandelion under Plexiglas. That is SO me! Nothing stays a seed … unless you put it under Plexiglas! I bought the paper-weight as a reward for myself for doing something that frightened me. It is a behavioral-learning technique that I still use on myself, and I am frightened often. Some people make Pod’s at Zaadz, and probably elsewhere, left right and hand over foot. Easily. It was hard for me. The beautiful Zaadz stayed in my drawer wrapped in white tissue paper for more than a year until the night I launched Play-Pod. Now it sits right next to my computer reminding me that I can get past the fright and find something wondrous.
Tonight I sat and thought about fright and attachment. I am attached to the word ~ zaadz ~ but even more to the meaning, the metaphor. The truth is, of course: I am attached to the people. Is this a community? Is it a group? I don’t know. I don’t care. It is a collection of some of the most incredible human beings I have ever known. Passionate, philosophical, artistic, radiant, giving, green, spiritual, imaginative, transformative, conscious, visionary, supportive, energetic, committed, creative, enlightened, loving. I have a large “Group of Friends.” We keep finding each other … people so much like myself that sometimes the synchronicity is almost overwhelming. I said to my daughter once: “I have found my people.” That is mushy, overly sentimental, over the top. That’s the way I am. A lot of people at zaadz love me anyway.
I broke my back a few weeks ago. If you want to take a magnificent journey, come and sit at my bedside for awhile.
http://pods.zaadz.com/play_pod/discussions/view/217770
http://lightdancing.zaadz.com/blog/2007/12/a_short_vacation
The thing is … this is not formula, not a Hallmark Card, not done for social obligation or show. It is REAL. One of the most Real things I have ever experienced. It was done for love. And it is not a distinction nor a divergence at zaadz. It IS zaadz.
The words of owais, above, brought tears … (I cry a lot. People love me anyway.) “To me Oneness is spiritualism, enlightenment. just endeavor yourself for establishing connectedness with every living things and processes on the universe. i am sure peace, ecstasy, bliss, contentment and so other positive desires by human kind get accomplished. just my friends refine your soul with connectedness - commune with universe. i just find this on zaadz so i love it so much. I just do not know any community I know people here a true and refined people.”
Amen.
For me, everything here comes down to what Martha has said, above: “As long as we stay connected to each other, and can continue our dialogues, everything will be OK.”
I can get past my discomfort with change. I can get used to the new. I can fight my fear of flying … as long as I know that YOU are still there. Zaadzsters. Gaiators. Gaiatritions. Swizzle-sticks. Whatever. You know who you are. Some of you don’t know that you are yet and neither do I. Two more of us found each other today at my house. Maybe I’ll find you tomorrow … it is not your name that will be important.
Blessings & Faery Wishes ~ Dryad
Edwina
I wonder if the time is not close at hand when we will look back with longing to the zaadz we know and love. I want no part of the currency concept. Is not currency and the desire for it a great part of what is causing so many problems in our world.
As I looked at the mock ups, I was looking for the link to the blog. I didn't find it, but then I didn't have a month to look. I don't think I should have to look that hard.
If all the planned changes take place the way I think they will, I regret to say I will have to find a new home. One that still represents what I believed zaadz did when I joined it.
I have a bad feeling about all of this and will miss zaadz, but that is beyond my control since it wont be here any more.
Best of luck to everyone. How can we save the world when we can't save zaadz from a commercialized death.
I have no problem with the graphics of the mock-ups, but what I do have a problem with is the clutter of scroll menus, or “widgets”, and I hope that the mock-ups were intended as a sort of generic “dashboard” similar to Blogger, ie., what, say, I would see when I log in, but not what other folks wanting to read my blog will see when they access my page, or will they have to navigate through a sea of scrolling menus of force fed content to actually find my content? Will we have a choice as to whether or not we want any or some of that, and where was the individual's blog section, their content, in the mock-ups or personal photos/art gallery section, or would one have to “add a widget” for those? Someone had said the mock-ups look like a “new agey” Yahoo, and I would say like MySpace- what part of it is my space? If you are keeping the Zaadz logo, why does the Zaadz layout have to look like the Gaia page? We all have the Gaia logo at the top ever reminding us who now owns Zaadz. I'm hoping this page layout is still a prototype and not a done deal.
As for the current Zaadz page, Zaadz is clearly about positive change in the world, which is the common goal of us all, not to say that Gaia isn't, but it also focuses on what we each uniquely bring as individuals to that common goal. If I want to respond to the question of the day, or read other people's responses I can choose to click the link, but it is still my choice. If I want to know what the Zaadz team is up to or discuss a given topic, I can read the posts on the respective pod, or post it on my blog, but it is my choice. If I want to read quotes about Daoism, Buddhism, Integral Living, etc., I can search the Quotes section or subscribe to it and receive it by email- but none of it is force fed, or crowds out the individuals' content to a mere “widget” or small fraction of the page space.
I am not opposed to change or progress, but as they frequently say here in the South, “If it aint broke, why fix it?” And if change means losing personal choice, or personal expression reduced to a minuscule space or hidden behind force fed content, I will personally choose to contribute in changing the world elsewhere.
Oh, goodness. Thank you, all. I've been reading the notes here with such a sense of gratitude and hope and excitement.
For me this whole transition is a little like seeing a child grow up. I'm going to miss that little person with such a deep sense of heartbreak, but at the same time there's no way I'd want to squelch her growth or hold her back from unfolding into the wise person she's destined to become. It's sorrowful and exciting at the same time… and for me, again, this shift of Zaadz carries that same complexity of feeling.
And again, I'm so grateful to everyone who's joining in with a sense of enthusiasm and great potential. I can't help but think that it's this attitude, more than anything else, that will shape what happens. So thank you, Phaedrus and 1Vector3 and Resurrected1 and Meenakshi and Kyle and CMG and John and Jeremiah and Joey and tara and Anna and ABAgail and Bluewater and Martha and zack and Jim and lightenup and quietlaughter and all the rest. I'm so glad you're here. :)
Sun-1: The individual customization will remain (and will even grow!). Your last paragraph made me laugh a bit, just because the Zaadz Team are the ones who came up with the new design and the “Wake up together!” and the rest. We'd only be fighting with ourselves…
But then, I suppose that's always the case. ;)
Dryad: Thank you so much for your brave words! Your whole post was just beautiful… if owais's comment brought tears to your eyes, well, yours brought tears to mine. It's spirits like yours that make this place what it is, and your honesty and authenticity about the nature of change, to my mind, feels so easy to relate to and so difficult to express. Thank you, again. Again and again and again.
java: Your fatalism about this makes me a little sad. If we don't believe in the ability of the spirit that was at the core of Zaadz is strong enough to thrive and grow and continue to flourish, well, what hope do we have? I, personally, am not afraid at all that the vibrancy and love and energy that started this site is only going to get stronger. To quote Brian: “Amazing how much potential is in a tiny seed, eh?” What's going to happen when we start to let this emerge?
Quiche: Again, the pages with the widgets are something completely new. Your own profile and log in page and blog and all the rest will remain as is; this myGaia page is meant to be like iGoogle, and for, as they say, your eyes only. And if you don't want to ever use the myGaia page, that's fine too–the old system of moving around the site won't change. You'll see.
As someone who is fascinated with the concept of alternative currencies, I'd love to hear more details about the Gaia currency.
The redesign looks nice - enhanced and yet reassuringly familiar.
I do think it would be nice if the name Zaadz could be kept - it's a lot more memorable than the rather generic-sounding “Gaia”. There are all kinds of things named Gaia, but only one Zaadz that I know of.
In any case, looking forward to the future. :-)
Apollia
Apollia! Oh, goodness. A woman after my own heart; I love the notion of complementary / alternative currencies, too. I don't want to get off-track here, but the idea of a currency that gains value through circulation rather than accumulation (and which, then, is designed to promote community and participation rather than competition and isolation) gets me tremendously excited. But I'll be frank: the Gaia Currency up top is merely a placeholder for a dream we're hoping to realize over the next few months / years. We've nothing explicit planned at the moment, other than the understanding that its a tremendously complex project and that we'll have to start small. Still… exciting. We've so much ahead of us.
And yes. To the future. :)
Hey,
As a Zaadster and Zaadz Ambassador, I feel it my 'zivic' duty to chime in.
I will share that personally, I have mixed feelings–with some indifference in the mix. My bottom line for Zaadz changes is that its integrity be maintained, and the essence of that integrity. I also hold out the hope that it still be a free thing. As for apprearance, I prefer the original look and vibe, yet have accepted the altered versions leading up to the big make-over (and have enjoyed some of new tools). The new look does feel new-agie to me too, but I will adapt. Purple-pretty, earth mother Gaia-good, but feels trendy, yet I am open to see how it feels when it is new and in use. As for being referred to as a Gaian, no thanks.
I enjoyed the passionate response by Chris to Bookman's raw expression of his truth–and am grateful that Bookman had the cahones to be the black sheep among all the change embracers here. Voices of dissent add the diversity we need and are welcomed by this Zaadster!
I am embracing and resisting, and also not being concerned much because it feels insignificant, superficial even, and I have so many other things to focus on of greater import. I do send my support to the change makers of Zaadz/Gaia who work so hard and are so dedicated. Right on, Grow on, Play on, and we will Carry on!
I love you ALL who are reading this.
mary
Thanks so much for your thoughts everyone!
And Mary, honestly, I was skeptical of the new Gaia look and the purple until I started testing the site with the rest of the team. I even found myself liking the colors, quite unexpectedly. It felt very user friendly, practical and the design seems much more intuitive. But you'll be able to see for yourself soon. Thank you for staying open.
The integrity of the site & community is of the utmost importance to us as well. We are working to be transparent and really honor the heart and soul of this community through everything we do. And, we plan to keep the basic site (almost all of what you use now) free, although there will eventually be some subscription options, many of which have been planned since the inception of Zaadz. We do have to keep this boat afloat, and ideally thriving. But, we will inform the community about changes to come and we will always alway always want your feedback and to hear your ideas.
Thank you SO much.
Wow, somehow I missed the announcement that zaadz.com was sold back in August. I am actually still learning about all the zaadz features, and how to utilize them. Since my life is quite busy, I don't get to come here often enough to keep up with a lot. It will be interesting to see how the change and changes unfold. My concern, too, is that it might get too commercial, or too similar to my.iwon, my.yahoo, google, etc. (which have features like “news feeds”, “your daily horoscope”, and “local weather”). I hope Gaia (zaadz) will be as intimate, simple, approachable, mindful, and joy inspiring as possible.
Blessings,
Elisabeth
Wow, this is a major change, but I am glad to hear that the seed is growing, change can be the greatest for this site help and reach out others, even with this little time that I have been a member of Zaadz I can feel myself be more kind and feel that I do not have to all have my defenses extremely up, thank you Zaadz you will become a Beautiful Flower and I will be here once you become one.
Thanx to ALL for continuing to make this a community of empowering loving souls.
I welcome change wholeheartedly. That's the only way to grow.
Much love,
SixthSense
Oy vey.
Obviously, embracing change – especially inevitable change – is a good thing. But like Java said above, I think there's a pretty good chance that one day we'll all look back (including – perhaps especially including – those of you who work for Zaadz) and terribly miss what we've had here on Zaadz, both in terms of scale/size and in terms of what and who is ultimately driving the site.
So, my plan is, first, to keep on using Zaadz/Gaia as I have been, to keep participating and making friends and doing what I can where I can. And second, to keep raising difficult issues and to challenge what seems wrong to me. It's like Tim Leary said: TFYAQA, i.e., think for yourself and question authority.
Following TFYAQA is not an easy thing to do. For example, when I recently raised the point that I thought the commercial Christmas shopping banner from Gaiam was not aesthetically pleasing and was also a substantial departure from what had previously been on the site, at http://enlightenmentdotcom.zaadz.com/photos/view/302504#comments
I pretty much got roundly stomped on by a variety of you who work here at Zaadz. (In fact, I felt pretty unwelcome, and withdrew a bit from communication with certain ones of you because of what I felt was a herd reaction to my questioning authority and design aesthetic.)
So, just for the heck of it, and notwithstanding the fact that most of what I'm about to write next will likely be ignored or poo-poohed, here's a set of five suggestions that I hope that those who have the power to keep the Zaadz-within-Zaadz alive will pay some attention to:
1. Vigilantly watch for the deterimental impact of the profit motive above all else on What-Was-Zaadz. The technical-rational grammar of late stage capitalism is big, bad, and doesn't really care a hoot about individuals, Gaia, human potential, transformation, or consciousness per se. It may be possible to control the unintended consequences and detrimental impacts of a large influx of money into a site like Zaadz, but historically, when a lot of money comes into an organization dedicated to good, typically things end up going very bad in the long-run. So, as much as Gaiam and Jirka may be positive influences on the planet, you really have to watch the effect of money here.
Yes, money can be reframed as a “spiritualized medium of exchange,” but in the vast majority of cases, influxes of large amounts of capital end up diverting the means and ends of organizations. That's just the way the world we're in works–just look around at everything from the inexorable impact of local real estate development to those who are now running this country–and to not be very aware that you who steward Zaadz are now in a huge uphill battle would be, well, not very realistic.
2. Watch for Groupthink. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink for a good description of this. Groupthink is a social and an energetic phenomenon, and especially when it's backed up by money and people's livelihoods, it can become pervasive and detrimental. If someone from outside your group criticizes what you're doing and you all immediately agree that they are off-base, then perhaps a little voice will pop into your head that will encourage you to take a deeper look.
3. Question Jirka and his top aides if you feel anything that's happening is not really in the interests of what-was-Zaadz and its members. Look, I don't know Jirka, but his reputation is one of being an indomitable businessman who ends up owning and controlling everything that comes in his way. That may be an exaggeration, but I believe that the time will inevitably come when those of you who work for Zaadz might not agree with everything that is going on or that is being proposed, and it will be all-too-easy to shirk back and not assert yourself (especially if your livelihood is at stake).
4. Access “ordinary” members to preview things and get real feedback, and let us know before major changes hit. If this is a community site at heart, then the wishes and feedback of the community need to be honored, yes? So get feedback from people, as you seem to be already doing, and please let us members know ahead of time before huge changes hit.
5. Give members alternatives. If the site migrates to being more and more commercial over time, at least give members the ability to opt out of certain aspects of that commercialism, even if they have to pay for it. That is, I bet a lot of folks would rather pay a small monthly fee than be inundated with the same sponsor ads over and over and over again. (To cite another acronym, TANSTASFL, as Robert Heinlein said: there ain't no such thing as a free lunch. If I enjoy Zaadz and need to pay for it to keep enjoying it the way I want to, then that's fair.) So, I would request that you find ways of honoring those members who have grown used to and prefer the original look-and-feel of the site.
Well, that's it for now. Don't get me wrong: I really like, even love, Zaadz. I just still don't feel right, deep in my bones, about all that is happening here, at least not yet. I wish you all the best, and hope that you can incorporate some of the above advice if you feel it is appropriate.
best, Jordan
“To my mind, there's no real difference between the call from your heart and the call of the planet. Just listen. Can you hear?”
yes, oh dear, yes. :-)
I can't help but still feel like we have been sold out!
that we grew then along came someone who liked our idea
and now it's theirs!
and do we get “paid” for being part of what has been sold-
all our words of wisdom? LOL!!!
Sandy - re: pay – would you want to be? Or would you rather that a business model exist for constructive communities oriented around human development and the radical world changing that our species needs to survive.
If you need some money, I'm sure we can find you some in oil, weapons, pharmeceuticals, genetic engineering……
I already posted a comment earlier, but I just want to say…
I trust you Siona – and Jake, and Brian, and Jackson, and whoever else is involved in the future of Zaadz – I think we all should trust them. I understand that a lot of people are afraid, but…
I'm not. =) I'm not scared at all.
No point in that sort of fear!
Woo hoo!
~Amy~
I will have to agree with Amy. :)
hey Music Attracts– don't rewrite it!!! Just leave the little Zaadz reference in and then it'll be like a little nod to the old. All the zaadzsters that hear it will smile and anyone who doesn't know what it is will have an opportunity to be intrigued and maybe they'll google it and find out what zaadz was and what it became and they will then be enriched by your little zaadz reference.????
and I agree with Amy too. I trust the zaadz team to do the right thing, after all, they did get zaadz off to the right start. it's their baby. and we're their village. ;-)
Feeling the community. Love renaming it Gaiam. It seems to fit and since I prefer to say zadz rather than zaadz and I always have to repeat myself when I tell people about it, I like Gaia better. And earthy colors! Now we're getting some where. :-) Excited about the important stuff, as usual. Actual, I am also excited that it could become easier to navigate, cause, honestly, I don't get into a lot of it cause I don't remember where I went before or how to find it again. Change is good, you got my blessing!
SteelFlower, just a technicality: Gaiam is a catalog. Sitename will be Gaia. All a bit confusing, but this is a clarification I found recently.
Tracking where one has been and how to find it again was always a challenge, but now it's easy with the My Activities widget, which you find/activate on your account page, link upper right of most any site page. Let me know if any questions.
Sorry for offtopic comment, but I felt a number of people might benefit from both factoids.
Blessings, Rev. O.M. Bastet
Dear Sonia
Only now have found some time to look at the preview of the new Zaadz pages, uuughh, it looks like I am on a google or yahoo page. Weather and a horoscope, oh no….. I do not really need this to surf around on a ''spiritual'' website.
I know that change is always happening, but the new design does not talk to me at all.
Heard some rumors as well that the access to Zaadz will soon be payable? is that so?
yours
Katerina
How are we going to make money? Bottom line.
This is the question that also began with the inception of zaadz , that those who were here at the beginning and paying attention, heard - how to create a self-sustaining online presence that allowed the spaces of freedom for people to “be” the change, but also paid the bills? I propose that the identity that “was” zaadz, is still trying to answer that question, only now we have more people involved saying, “How are we going to make money and use zaadz to do it.?” Since zaadz was only beginning to answer that question for itself before the sale to Gaiam, we are left with this confusing fallout.
A possible solution? Gaiam figures out how to “make” money while still allowing the freedom of zaadz to be as it is, the seeds. No need for “assimilation”. I never thought of zaadz as “A” seed, but as a place where our individual ideas were the seeds. Zaadz was the “plant” that allowed the seeds to be created and sent out. Seeds grow by the very nature of themselves when provided with the necessary ingredients. Always, more seeds will be needed for the new to be created, even after the crops are “in”.( ….read money )
Siona, must the delightful “child” of zaadz grow up? Must the innocent creative beauty of zaadz be straightjacketed into our previous conceptions of what it means to be an adult? I would postulate that the energy of the delightfullness of the children we all once were is what we all long to return to anyway.
Zaadz was started with the energy of BEing the change. As we investigate new ways of financial responsibility we are doing that still.
I agree with Mila, why can't our names be combined? Zaadaz-Gaia. Like the Ottawa tribe of the Potawanami and different tribes of the Apache and Sioux…its all the same but great in its retained individuality, yes?
Hey guys- love the excitement and enthusiasm. Just wanted to chime in to answer a few questions:
Vector- That is correct. Gaiam is our parent company and does tons of cool stuff from a catalog that offers off the grid living (and on the grid living) lifestyle products. Gaia.com will be where you go (zaadz.com wil redirect) and our name will be Gaia. Gaia will be a seperate entity, and is being treated with lots of love and care- trust me.
Kat- the design you are talking about is the mygaia page- which will be a customizable homepage where you can pull info from tons of cool sources. The design is customizable- we even have a 'zaadz' theme in there- all yellow with seeds and stuff. ;) Yes, you will be able to have horroscopes and lots of fun things like that, but there are tons of choices, and again, its completely customizable with three themes at the start to choose from. That is not that actual gaia.com website tho- its like igoogle but with spiritual stuff.
lightenup- Money? We'll have a couple subscription services, such as Gaia Pro (the artist formally known as zPro, but better) which we plan to use to get some dollar bills flowing. Helping conscious business owners succeed is still our passion. You guys will be stoked to see what we can do with a company like Gaiam at our backs.
Babs- I guess the easy answer is to keep things simple. :)
Ohhhhh,continual flow,growth and emergence….TRUST…this team has brought us here and I think they have our best interest. We are the core of it all,without zaadsters there would be nothing….so I am sure we hold the key to the future,and as I read all this I can feel Siona and the gang's excitement for the growth of this potent community..forward fearlessly,but absolutely awake.
Zaadz has been good to me in that I made a very good face-to-face friend from it, someone who is now one of my best friends. But somewhere within the last year I found myself drifting from it. Part of that was just that I got busy; part of it was that the community wasn't drawing me in anymore.
The functionality of the site seemed to be part of the problem to me - little issues such as rotating the featured pods were never fixed, so trying to take a seed and create your own little plot of land here took way much more effort than it should have.
Then I felt Zaadz was trying to commodify us. This is when Zaadz wanted us to hand over our email lists to build our communities here for the new Zaadz business pages. (Those new pages never quite off the ground.) I think at this point any idealism I may have had over the site was lost - this is a business, after all. But I guess some of the magic stopped for me then. When Zaadz was sold, I was at that point fine with it, but another friend of mine was so upset that she left and never came back.
I know there are great people here and very sincere, well-meaning people on the team. Gaiam is not a horrible company, and certainly Zaadz could have been sold to Microsoft or something much worse. But Gaiam is kind of an example to me of new age commercialism that doesn't really appeal to me. Gaiam sends me these catalogs sometimes, filled with expensive items that are supposedly more “spiritual” or “green.” When really it's just consumerism under a new age banner.
What does Gaiam mean to me? Gaiam is, in my view, a catalog for upscale white people who want to shop for things that make them feel a little warmer and fuzzier than what you might get at the department store.
Gaiam, however, is not a movement to me. It's not anything visionary, it's not anything mindblowing, and it doesn't feel genuinely touchy-feely to me. (And it feels very 1999 for some reason.)
The brand is that too slick kind of commercial yoga slick that makes me not want to go to YogaWorks. It sells, for sure, but it's not authentic enough for me.
My concern - which isn't really a concern so much as I only check in here once in a while to check my Zaadz mail - is that the initial vision for a transformative online community will be lost to the commercial focus of Gaiam.
Sure, the site will be slick, have bells and whistles, and perhaps even useful, but I don't think the community will grow to the heights it could have gone had it stayed separate - it will be subsumed into Gaiam's catalog site and be a PART OF Gaiam…at least, that's what it appears from this announcement.
Frankly, I think Gaiam is making a mistake sucking in Zaadz like a new age borg collective…it should have nurtured Zaadz as a separate brand. Change the name to GaiamSpace or something, but make it separate from the catalog, the selling, the overt product pushing…but whatever.
I'm not mad, not upset, and I'll still login once in a while. What I think this announcement does tell us, however, is that there's plenty of space for new, transformative communities to arise, and perhaps someday there will be another one, independent and free from the need to sell $70 specialty yoga mats. And when that one is launched, I'll be there (or perhaps I'll be running it myself).
Good luck, and thanks for what you did bring us…it's been a good run.
sounds like interesting developments
Gaia is a beautiful name
love
“The important thing is this: to be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what
we are - for what we could become.”
~ Maharishi Mahesh
=)
ozma: Just to clarify, we're not becoming Gaiam, and we ARE continuing as a brand that'll be wholly separate from the catalog division. Zaadz is becoming Gaia Community, not Gaiam. I know it's a bit confusing that our new parent entity (Gaiam, Inc) has the same name as the catalog, but perhaps it just demands a little extra explanation: we're owned by Gaiam, Inc., not the catalog division, and Gaia Community is a completely separate undertaking. And it's one which I believe has the potential to be even more transformative and rich and connective and strong than even Zaadz.
(After all, this change is a big opportunity for each of us to ask what we want from this place—what we want to find here, and what we want to bring to those we share it with—and I'm excited to see what'll happen with this renewed awareness.)
And HummingBird? I think it's a beautiful name, too.
I know that NMD already answered Kat, but I'll chime in too. The myGaia page is a separate offering (if you don't want to use it, just don't sign up; your profile page isn't going to be affected, nor will the internal layout of the rest of the site), and just for those who want a customizable landing page.
It all sounds wonderful, but let me know if I need ot DO something, I am in a million places at once….irons in the fire& all that. I'm on eof the old souls around here, and don't keep up all the time.
LOVE ya zaadies and gaia -ees.
It all sounds wonderful, but let me know if I need ot DO something, I am in a million places at once….irons in the fire& all that. I'm on eof the old souls around here, and don't keep up all the time.
LOVE ya zaadies and gaia -ees.
Hey All, I want to give a big thank you for all the feedback, those embracing the change with such beautiful positivity and hope, and to those who have questions and concerns. I certainly had questions when we began this transition, and I know others on the team did as well. But, we saw what is possible for the flowering of Zaadz and believed in the vision of Gaia.
I wanted to speak to some of Jordan's comments from a few days back. First off I truly appreciate your comments. I believe that Gaia should thrive financially and I have faith that we will do this with heart and in service to the vision of making the world a better place and inspiring each other. And, it's always good to question ourselves and each other to make sure our priorities are set. Just to tell you, that's always been something I love about the community and our team. We try to maintain our integrity, be transparent, and respond honestly to criticism.
And, the members of this community make it what it is. We'll do our best to keep you posted on changes, give you previews and listen to what you have to say. We think about this a lot.
Finally, we do intend to provide alternative, and it's something that's made possible by our transition into Gaia. We plan to keep the basic community (most of what you use now) free and also to offer subscription alternatives for those who want them.
Resurrected1, I love that quote.
I have to say that I agree with Bookman.
So too, as a Heathen- while I'm not of the religion that recognizes Gaia specifically, I find it to be…. well, „offensive” is too strong a word… „off” isn't strong enough…. disrespectful to the holiness of the deity? Perhaps that's it. It has a ring to naming it „God” or „Allah” (for those who'd follow those religious paths)… there's something „off” (or disrespectful to that deitiy) in so doing. I'm very dissapointed.
Hi Hjuka,
Thanks for weighing in. I wanted to clarify that the word Gaia isn't owned by any one thing. It represents so much, which is part of why it was chosen. It has great depth. Gaia can refer to many things, the Earth, the feminine goddess, a philosophy about unity between the planet and its creatures. One of the things I love about this is that we don't really “own” Gaia. It belongs to everyone. It is everyone's to explore.
Well, that's good to know! The first time I heard the word Gaia was when I worked in a bookstore and it was “Gaia's Guide” which turned out to be a book listing lesbian bars across the US and around the world. It seems there's quite a few!
I like it, i support Siona and the rest of the team 100%
I'm with Jordan on this. “Oy vey” sums it up nicely.
I am just getting attuned to the new Gaia. I like it thus far, but there are some technical issues which I have addressed with the support team. Transitioning from from one pod to another often shows me Page Not Found. It is trying to read the zaadz address, I assume. Navigating from the Home Page to other pages gives me the same result. I am using Firefox now, and still the same results. I added MY Gaia and I like it, but the weather does not give my specific location. I get the weather in Boulder, CO. I am certain that will be fixed in short order. I've been through business buyouts and mergers before and it is never easy. God Bless All!
Hey John! You can change your weather settings (and settings on most of the features) by clicking the little 'cog' icon. Put in your US ZIP code (I'll be working on international weather shortly) and click Apply. Let me know if it doesn't work for you…
yes! hello!
Yeah me, I get it now. I am proud to be a part of a community that is willing to make changes for improvement and not just for the sake of chaning. I have a space on myspace where I blog sometimes. But I must tell you that when I open my page with you guys even if I don't have any mail I immediately feel like I am at home and my circle of joy is complete. Glad you are here. (smiles and grins)