New to Zaadz

I really interested in what long standing community members would like to see out of the Gaia community. Now's really a time to think outside the box while keeping true to all your values…don't be worried at all, there's a great team at Zaadz who are so, so, committed to this site and it's members…they truly realize they are building a community…not just a website…so your input is uber uber important!

So what are you looking for? What would you love to see?…imagine this pod as your new ideas page…

• Could it be more features?
• Could it be a re-emboldened state of community?
• Could it be another way to truly change the world?
  

Re: New to Zaadz

I like the sound of “re-emboldened state of community”, altho exactly how one accomplishes such a thing seems like a mystery.

It's a little hard to know how to take your questions - is this theoretical, or is this about the new management team really looking for ways to 'embolden the community'?

Re: New to Zaadz

I'd like to know what you have in mind by the reference to “long standing community members” and what they “would like to see out of the Gaia community”.  While there are still lots of active early members on Zaadz (and that's the community we're interested in, regardless of the name on this pod, BTW), taking a good look at the members page, there are dozens of “long standing” members who haven't been anywhere near Zaadz in many weeks and some many months, up to a year or more.  So I'd say that while the active older members should contribute, those of us arriving in the last 6 to 8 months also have much to contribute here.  While you ask us NOT to worry, I guess perhaps some of us youngsters might feel a bit of pressure from that reference.

I do agree with Bill (an old-timer here :-)) that it was difficult to determine if your statements were a bit more to the theoretical than practical, regarding doing that “re-embolding” thing.

I don't think there's an issue of trust with the original Zaadz team - the old saying going “they've done so much with so little for so long, that they are now qualified to do almost the impossible with nothing” or words to that effect fit pretty well.

Features:  I think communication is great, especially when it can be done live.  zIM chat has been in the workshop practically since the day I arrived.  I think before we start adding new features, maybe getting the “old” ones up and running well (which I believe I've heard this is something is being worked upon, so not dissing here) would be a great first step.  If you can't communicate with people in a timely fashion, then the whole process of “re-embolding” and “creating change” tends to break down because of time-lines.  As you put it “brainstorming” amongst ourselves is important - but it becomes a bit of a yawn when you need to wait hours and days in between for everyone to express their views.  (And speaking of expressing views, some really decent emoticoms would really spice things up here).

Just a few observations from my computer chair this evening……

Cheers!

Gem ~ :-) ~

Re: New to Zaadz

Gem, Bill,

Thank you for your voices…honestly.

Gem my main goal is communication, so I am happy we are doing that now, and please let me know how I can help on the communications front, in the future…seriously.

My reference to “longstanding community members” : Myself I am new to Zaadz (less than 2 months), I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for the community that has grown here, and by longstanding, I meant members that have been here longer than I, and members that are active, and passionate like the two of you. I want to stress how much I respect your opinions and views, because this site more than anything belongs to the community that has grown here…and I honestly mean that….it's a community.

No community = No Zaadz, No Gaia, No anything, just an empty shell.

Values that I hold dear to myself and are important to me: transparency, authenticity, honesty…and those are values I feel Zaadz holds as well.

Bill: “I like the sound of “re-emboldened state of community”, altho exactly how one accomplishes such a thing seems like a mystery.”

Just a question, could be practical, could be theoretical…it's for you to take, run with and own…I am hoping that I can offer a little inspiration, and another voice…looks like we have two members here, that kind of liked those words…they seemed to ring a bell in the both of you…from there….

the rest is up to you, you define what that means to you….and how you think we as a community and team can get there….(and you're already starting to show me the way)

to me an emboldened sense of community means: vibrancy, active authentic members, people that are here because they share common values inherently, a place where members are listened to and respected, a place where features work and are constantly improved at a healthy rate for both the team and the community, a place where profiles are people :-)

I could write a much longer list now of what that one statement means to me, but what the overarching point I want to get across, is that I care about members, and I want  to hear  your opinion…

Who I am exactly? read more here on the team blog. I've been a admirer of Zaadz from afar for many years…and have recently had the opportunity to cross paths with this amazing team who I find I share so many common values….they are AMAZING people…..and that's an understatement…few words I could choose would do justice…but also want to let you know….that as deeply as I feel about that team….I feel about members.

~Chris Z. (aka Definitive…a name given to me a long time ago by a dear friend)

Re: New to Zaadz

Well, to re-embolden the community, I think one of the possible paths is to figure out _why_ people become willing to devote a fair chuck of time developing a reputation and a body of writing on a site like this.

Then figure out ways to give contributors the rewards they are looking for. In most cases this is likely to be status, possibly some kind of reputation system. In some cases, it means an audience. It;s the old “attention as currency” idea.

But that could be a little advanced of a method for starters.

—

One of the things I think you could try is re-instating the “Royalty Principle” - that is, establish a new and highly visible leadership.

Brian played the role of king when he was the visible owner, and provided for a lot of folks a personification of the community.

Right now there is the strong feeling of a leadership vacuum. I write something almost every day here, but I couldn't tell you offhand who the leaders of zaadz were today.

Modern humans have brains that are still behaving as if we were tribalists. It gives people a sense of security to know what the lines of power around them are. Establish a new zaadz royalty, that could cheer zaadz up.

—

Something else you might try, altho it could involve a bit of an expense, is bringing in experts and personalities for online conferences. The idea here is to create a sense of activity, of vitality, and of reward.




  

Re: New to Zaadz

I actually enjoy the way Zaadz is right now; growing organically; and allowing people to do what they enjoy doing. Sorry, Bill, but some members - me, e.g.- don't enjoy having designated leaders! Freedom is what Zaadz represents to me: to express oneself; choose pods and level of participation.

If there are issues, it is with frequent technical problems [all posted on the Support pod as they come up].

I would like a Gaia community to keep the name Zaadz that drew us here [I'm with Gem on that; isn't that what you meant, Gem?]; perhaps to have discussion on what is “the world” and what “change” represents. Perhaps this is what I would like to see the Gaia folk to explain to us.

Re: New to Zaadz

Meenakshi, I thought it was interesting how in your first paragraph you said you didn't want leaders, then in your final paragraph you said something that I experienced as a statement of desire for more leadership from the gaiam people.

That's how the human brain works - it says it doesn't want pack leaders, but then doesn't behave as if that were entirely true.

As for myself, I've pretty much been quietly waiting for a new attitude to catch on with the zaadz crowd after the sale, so I'm not in any hurry, one way or the other. If zaadz stays quieter than it used to be, with fewer posts per day than it used to have, well, that's just how things are.

I'm kind of anti-royal myself, I suppose you could say. I'm just noting that there used to be a royalty, now things are unclear. I'm not personally recommending a new royalty, just mentioning it as a possible path.

Re: New to Zaadz

Thanks for pointing out the inconsistency, Bill. LOL! Yes, that's how things work.  I guess I was asking Definitiv to define those words that many have used; and seeing him as spokesperson for Gaiam.

As they are so visible on Zaadz; I”d like to know where they're headed; so I can decide where I'm headed!

Re: New to Zaadz

Meenakshi,

I'm heading wherever the community is heading…(ok yes this again sounds ambiguous), but my point is,  call it what you will, this site is a community, driven by it's members, so I want to go in the direction you want to go…to me a name is a name, be it Zaadz, Gaia, or something else…to be honest if this site was called XVIVX I'd proabbly still come here, because of the community that is here…because it's that, that I am drawn too…

In terms of Gaia…well how it's been explained to me is in much the same way as Brian's original statement….

——————————-

Our Mission. We're gonna change the world. Our math goes like this: you be the change + you follow your bliss + you give your greatest strengths to the world moment to moment to moment + we do everything in our power to help you succeed + you inspire and empower everyone you know to do the same + we team up with millions like us = we just affected billions = we (together) changed the world.

Our Plan. Ours involves Conscious Capitalism infused with Spirituality and a healthy dose of Enthusiasm, Love, Service, Inspiration, Passion, Humor and Teamwork. People CRAZY enough to think they can change the world, Courageous enough to do something about it, AND Committed enough to stick to it when they feel like giving up.

We’re in the process of building THE most inspired community of people in the world…social networking with a purpose, a community of seekers and conscious entrepreneurs circulating wisdom and inspiration and wealth and all that good stuff. We're passionate about inspiring and empowering people to bring their dreams to life, learning and growing and getting paid to do what they love, using their greatest gifts in the greatest service to the world. (And having fun in the process!)

Our Community. You (& Your Friends). Yes, you. You want more than the 9-5, the house and the car, the conditioning. The blah! Life is to be lived - Fully. In spirit. In love. In service. In celebration. (You've already swallowed the red pill, so let's go…)

—————————–

That's the mission that's been shared with me to date, and it's one I hold dear and “Identify” with myself…and one of the reasons I have pointed to Zaadz…

The only difference I have been able to see first hand: There's a whole lot more team members here now, to help a whole lot more community members. Did you see Siona's email today by any chance? amazing! the community has grown to over 113,000 members…and still growing…

Re: New to Zaadz

Stay happy.

That's the first answer that came to mind; so I'm running with it. And thank you for putting it all together. Enjoy Zaadz/GAiam, and may all your moves be happy ones!

Re: New to Zaadz

Great post, Chris (Definitive).  You really said it quite nicely.

I can vouch for the busy-ness with moving and what not.  As always, my email box is open to anyone who has any questions or concerns.

And yes, having these happy experiences is the reason I am alive.  You got it, Meenakshi. :)