27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirky

1. The general theme of this book is about how creativity is at an all time high thanks to the modernization of the internet and connectedness. Shirky shows us that in the last decade our culture has shifted into an age of more free time and a better use of cognitive surplus in that time. Where we were once an ever rising society of television watchers, we now are able to direct our energy to collaborative projects through the connected world of technology.
2. This has enhanced what I have learned in the class, because he shows how we can use common technology to move an issue or product, in the case of this class into action. By simply using a platform to expel our ideas into the world, the nature of human generosity can work with connectedness to get a lot done.
3. If I had to design an experiment for this class, based on the book I would have the class come up with a problem and work to find a solution that could take advantage of the knowledge and wisdom of others, the catch being that students would not be allowed to use resources from the state of Florida. This is because I would want to show them that there are people all over our country and state looking to invest their time into a worthy idea, and it is as easy as replying to a blog post. I would suggest they take to the web on sites like Redit, a mass body of users with all sorts of skills.
4. The biggest surprise that I found was that this book was not so focused on the lucrative nature of entrepreneurship but on how people can come together on a common goal that benefits the lives of others out of generosity.