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

Cool, I dig the seed system (ha ha…get it? dig…seeds? oh well)

At any rate, I think it's similar in a sense to the Google Image Labeler….just making specific content more accessible in a benign way…The Image Labeler makes it easier for people to find images with specific content, and the Seed System makes it easier to find content with a particular resonation that is specific to the interests of the Zaadz community.

…of course, it isn't the greatest thing for people who are set on saying something totally contrary to the aims of the greater proportion of the community…but hey, if it's not persuasive or inspiring enough to get some seeds, then there's probably more to the lack of attention than the mere lack of exposure…the message and the way the message is conveyed might be in need of some fine tuning.
We ought to remember that communication is primarily an act of SERVICE…not about just hearing oneself speak. I mean, just because I think my message is pretty awesome, doesn't mean that it is…and if it isn't received well, it's no fault of the world…it's MY OWN inability to appeal to my intended audience.

I think a lot of the fear (if not all of it) regarding the aspect of the seed system that might make it difficult for newcomers to build a reputation or to gain mass-recognition, is due to ego resentments alone…people thinking that their message is inherently as awesome as everyone else's simply because they think it is.
It's kind of like saying that Mother Theresa and Osama bin Laden deserve equal opportunity to make their case for a world-view. The masses are obviously more aligned with Mother Theresa's teaching, so why not enable that message to be more accessible?
That's what the seed system appears to do in a sense (though the differences in views may not be as varied as Osama's and Mother Theresa's!)

Way to go, Zaadz!

-Rob

Heads up! This is my first time posting a message here (i poped my cherry) but so far so good, Im feeling yalls comments and need a place where love is all that counts. Todays my birthday and it started a bit rocky but i consider this community a gift. thanks, catch yall later i gatta go celebrate 28.

Just chiming in to say, “you guys rock”.

:)

Congratulations team, and all of the members who stepped up with thier concerns and suggestions.

Our community is germinating seeds together!

Dave

Well, my little circle doesn't say glow at all when I hover. Has anyone answered what this is all about?

Kathryn

Hi Kathryn, your little circle says Glow_0 when I hover over it. This does NOT mean “nothing.” It goes up in steps, so you are somewhere between 0 and 1. So are most people on the site, as near as I can figure. 1 is rare, and 2 is rarer, and I haven't seen anyone but the Team above 2, and they are at 20, or were awhile ago. I don't know whether they can go higher than that. or whether any of us can reach that.

My impression is that our glow level is determined by the number of seeds we have been given, in our blogs and on our profiles. (So far posts to pods and photos don't seem eligible for seed-giving. I am waiting impatiently for those avenues of sharing seeds, especially posts to pods.)

Perhaps someone can contribute more substantial info here. I don't know whether our glow level is partly a function of the number of seeds we have accumulated ourselves by our activities, or the number we have given away.

Blessings, OM Bastet

I think it is an awesome idea for everyone to be positive. this will help us grow and understand that what people put in their blogs is their opinions and not to be back slashed for how they think. I think this website will help a lot us grow into great individuals and be able to use ideas of others in our everyday life! Keep up the good work!

Hi Kathryn,
the last time someone mentioned about glows, i checked mine, and it was a Glow0, and so was the other person's.
I guess it's an indicator of how active a person is on zaadz.
Basically, i ignore the glow points, and it works for me! Not too sure why this was set up in the first place, and to be honest, it doesn't matter to me.
Cheers.

Please check out my 5c on Thinktank: http://pods.zaadz.com/thinktank/discussions/view/213444
Especially considering a positive response to “sowing seeds” name.

Wow, I think there are some glitches out there.  I have tried 4 times - with some interval in between - to give a worthy woman a precious seed for writing her blog, only to get Oops messages.  The darn seeds are time consuming enough to distribute but when they don't work, then it is just totally wasted time.

Which is what the seeds feel like.  The only thing I see happen is that they go up and they go down.  They don't seem to give me any power to know anything, even about myself, my “reputation” or the quality of my writing.  Someone once told me I had a glow_1, which I was honestly relieved to learn didn't mean much but I can't find any glow anything on my profile or on any other Zaadzster's profile either. 

Oh yeah, I seem to remember that the programmers here don't like Internet Explorer and so those of us who use it are the last to taste the goodies.

Really though - I don't get the reason for this Seed thing at all.  I get the explanations but I don't see them in physical form - not at all.  And I truly wonder, what the heck are these seeds actually doing? and who is getting the benefit of the information? because from my ability to see and use them - it sure isn't my self, as a member of Zaadz.

Fix it or relieve me of the responsibility of seeing I have xxx seeds that I should do something with to be a team player.  Of course, I would not shed a single tear if they vanished into thin air.  I really wouldn't.  My experience here would actually be enhanced by not needing to be consumed and concerned about them any longer.

I'm absolutely NOT against change.  Change is all there is but a change that is worthless could be given up and then - pesto - there we go, change is constant.

Deborah

debyemm:

I'm so sorry about the 'oops'! The team is working on integrating a bunch of new code that'll make the site easier to maintain and update; it's been in the works for a while and today's the day we knit that branch back in. It shouldn't be much longer now.

And again, you're more than welcome to ignore the seeds! if you don't use them your bank will just fill up and remain filled until or unless you spend a few. If you don't want to be concerned with them, don't be concerned! They're yours to do with as you wish—and paying them no mind at all is certainly an option.

Perhaps someone already said this, but moderating good and bad content in a community that we are part of seems a lot like what we do to our own selves. We cling to what is good, and discourage what we see to be bad.

As for people getting upset because their posts are deleted, why does it matter to you that some people on this website don't like what you have written? It is the work of the divine to befriend everyone, not us.

I would like to see something that lets us know when something we have posted has been flagged, and if it is taken off the site, a reason why. Completely anonymous of course. Just so that people who are spreading content that isn't appreciated know why that is and perhaps give it a thought about what they might post next time, especially if they are hurt by being flagged or taken down.

This is a large family the way I see it, and a family that doesn't disagree with each other at all isn't a family. I see the seeds as a very well instated tool for progress, but also see why people are so upset.  And I have also said what Siona said when they first told us about the idea. If you don't like it, ignore it. It's that easy.

I didn't mean to step on anybody's toes, in case I did.

P.S. I also can't see anyone's glow number, including my own.

Peace
:D

Siona,

Yes, I see you are listening.  I saw the Update note across the top as well.  Best wishes for a good install.

I don't see what my seeds do.  I really don't.  It seems so pointless.  If I like someone, I tell them.  If I have a problem with them, I tell them.

Someone needs them and wants them and is making use of this or it would not exist.  But it's not transparent, if we're to be motivated that they are worthwhile, we should at least see what they are doing and how they are being used.  Instead, it's like a shell game - I get some seeds, I give some seeds, I don't know where they come from, those who get them don't know they came from me.  Just numbers going back and forth.  It doesn't make sense.

Now, if someone is using them to track who I like and what I read and analyzing and compiling the data - then, it begins to make some kind of sense … I can't ignore them.  They're right under my picture.  I have never hoarded anything in my life but I feel an extra chore has been put on me that I didn't ask for.  I hate time wasters.  I spend alot of time putting content on Zaadz.  Distributing seeds is very meaningless in comparison.  They must mean something but I can't see what.  Explanations aside - where do they do what they are supposed to do?  I don't see it.  I must be missing something really obvious.

I know I “can” ignore them, it's a free Zaadzworld afterall.  Realistically, I can't ignore them - I'm not suppose to.  They are in my face every time I go to my profile.  And why do others know I'm a glow whatever but I don't see that?  Doesn't seem fair somehow, even if I don't want to be a glow anything.

Dear Siona - always you are so generously sweet.  Good PR lady with a good heart.  Seed lover extraordinaire but it escapes my reasoning mind - why?  You must know something, or get something out of their existence, that I just can't see.

Deborah

Just an encouragement to take a look at this new thread that Zak started on the subject ( wow, amazing the amount of energy on all this, I have to take it as a wonderful sign of our love for this place!).

I am wondering if 'we' as a community need a longer and  more detailed note from the team regarding the seeds, as per Zak's suggestion – eg the technical ramifications and intent of this system, more specific information - eg what is our seed 'ceiling' etc.  Maybe this exists somewhere already? I realise this whole thing is an 'in progress' system, but I am still reading a lot of posts that imply a lack of understanding about what it's all about, let alone any moral issues. A 'factual' page I could point people to would be helpful. Perhaps, since it seems to be such a 'big' issue, a link at the top beside the Q&R link ?? I'd make this page non 'commentable' – but linking people to the appropriate ThinkTank board (which is still called the Trust System.. be great if this was renamed..) if they want to add more 2c..

hi Deborah,

you said: “I don't see what my seeds do.  I really don't.  It seems so pointless.  If I like someone, I tell them.  If I have a problem with them, I tell them.”

the Seed System is a voting system, trust system, reputation system, community self-regulating system, all rolled into one.

now let's focus on the positive aspect of the Seed System.

1) as a voting and self-regulating system, it's a way to place your vote on good contents so they would bubble up on the site. the more vote (or seed) a content received, the more visible they become on the site. this way we can create a portal featuring all the good contents that the community voted for. also, this is a way for the community to self-regulate itself by making the more meaningful contents more visible than the not-so meaningful content. the collective seeds (or votes) of the community will be used to decide on this instead of a few people picking and choosing the featured contents.

2) as a trust and reputation system, it's a way of sending your gratitude to other members on Zaadz by rewarding them more reputation and visibility on the site. members reputation are signified by the glowing graphic on their main page. this symbolic reputation gives other members a hint how “trustworthy” a particular member is. this also denotes how active the member is on the site. this is not intended to be a contest. however, overtime, we can use the reputation data to feature members who are “voted” by the community so as to make them more visible on the site.

having said that, you don't have to use it. you are in no way obligated to use it. although we highly recommend that you give those seeds away, the best way to use the seeds is to just keep it in the background and use it only if and when you feel like it. just keep doing what you're doing. be who you say you are. do what you think you have to do. say what you have to say. be yourself.

the Seed System as it is right now is an early implementation. we'll continue to refine the system and build other features on top of it that would use the data from the seeds given out by members of this community.

thanks for all your feedback and understanding.

~C