Reading Reflection No. 3

Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirk

     The basis of the book and Shirky’s argument is that people have much more free time than in the past; hence cognitive surplus. Creativity originally plundered, but recently the motives and means have changed in the minds of many people. The book goes into detail about the introduction to television and the effect that came along with it. Living patterns were transformed, to the point that people relied on television to feel a social connection. In the book, Shirky explains there has been a response to other forms of media that are leaving TV in the dust. Although people may not be making the most creative things, Shirky says that this certain creativity has closed the gap between doing something, and doing nothing. It allows people to take part in something, rather than sit on your couch doing nothing. The book goes on to talk about the economics of publishing, which had a large impact on the public. According to the book, it was near impossible to make things available to the public. Shirky brings up Gutenberg economics, Gutenberg being the inventor of the printing press. Once books could be made for much cheaper, people began making books and sharing ideas. Next, Shirky began talking about the motives of people. Extrinsic motivations, are external rewards, while intrinsic motivations are based on desire. Shirky explains that this is critical to the notion of cognitive surplus, due to the motivations relying on people choosing to create without having to be paid with an external reward. I found this to be the most interesting part of the book because I see this everyday through social media. For example, I love photography and I love to post photos knowing I will not get paid for them. The book continues with the effect of collaboration. Shirky talks about how there are different types of collaboration, varying from personal to civic, with communal and public between them. The meanings of each were a bit unclear to me but the idea was that personal collaboration is simply individuals sharing ideas, while moving towards civic is more for society. Finally, Shirky tells about the ways to use cognitive surplus for the better. People and the way we connect are essentially fuel for cognitive surplus. I loved the way this book put importance in public creativity and collaboration. I think if people begin to come together and participate, the world will always continue to be better every day.