TED Talk: "How Cognitive Surplus Will Change the World"

Summary

("How.")

In Clay Shirky’s “How Cognitive Surplus Will Change the World”, Shirky analyzes the definition and source of cognitive surplus, along with explaining to his audience how it will come to change the world using technology and human generosity. Shirky begins his speech by speaking about Ory Okolloh, a lawyer in Nairobi, who blogged during an outbreak of ethnic violence in Kenya. She kept a blog, but found it too pressing to answer every comment during a media blackout, so Ushahidi, which means “witness” in Swahili, was born. The program is a map of information that was put onto a map using text messages and emails, open to the public, also known as “crisis mapping”. The idea was then turned into a platform and used internationally; in Washington D.C., it is used to track snow cleanup, while it is used in Haiti to track the aftermath of the earthquake. Shirky makes the point that one idea became global deployment, something that would not have been possible if not through technology and the generosity of humans. Additionally,he introduces an idea he calls “cognitive surplus”, the ability of the world’s population to volunteer and contribute to a global cause. Shirky believes there are two parts to cognitive surplus: free time and talents, and consumerism. He connects LOLcatz, a popular meme on the internet, to Ushahidi, as both are created by people who like to create and share their creation.

("Cheezburger.")

The difference between them, however, is that LOLcatz has communal value (made by participants, for participants), while Ushahidi has civic value (created by participants, for society as a whole). Obviously, Shirky establishes his ideas about cognitive surplus, by explaining it’s definition, and how it will come to change the world.

Response

Clay Shirky accurately portrays the importance of his idea of cognitive surplus in a global standard, by illustrating the uses of the idea through technology and human generosity. Cognitive surplus is defined by Clay Shirky as, “...the ability of the world’s population to volunteer and contribute to a global cause” ("How"). Shirky explains ways the world is integrating cognitive surplus, with programs such as Ushahidi, and other programs that are similar. Shirkey accurately evaluates two important factors in cognitive surplus: free time and talents, and consumerism. Robert Herjavec, active entrepreneur, is an innovative example of the free time and talents aspect of cognitive surplus.

("Los.")

“In 1990, Herjavec left [his previous job] to found BRAK Systems, a Canadian integrator of Internet security software, from the basement of his home...he founded the Herjavec Group in 2003, a security solutions integrator, reseller and managed service provider, of which he is currently the CEO. The Herjavec Group is one of Canada's fastest-growing technology companies and the country's largest IT security provider” ("Robert"). Robert is now on the hit ABC Family TV show, Shark Tank, and has a net worth of $125 million. Additionally, Shirkey analyzed the importance of consumerism in the last century of today’s society.

("One.")

The picture displays society’s need to buy and sell new things- it’s how the United States is wired. Clay Shirky’s speaking style was not like any of the other speakers watched in class- he paced the stage, and gestured profusely. Though animated, viewers might find him intimidating, or hard to follow. His brief humor connected to LOLcatz seemed to be a little forced, which did not help his speech. Clay Shirky accurately summarized his idea of the importance of cognitive surplus, because it is important to stay consumers and embrace technology in today’s society.

Works Cited

"Cheezburger." Know Your Meme News. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. <http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/sites/cheezburger>.

"How Cognitive Surplus Will Change the World." Clay Shirky:. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. <https://www.ted.com/talks/clay_shirky_how_cognitive_surplus_will_change_the_world#t-406910>.

"Los Angeles Confidential Magazine's Annual Pre-Emmy Kick-Off Celebration - Arrivals." Zimbio. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. <http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/tfBu3Au6qcz/Los+Angeles+Confidential+Magazine+Annual+Pre/S1YjXIg0kkv>.

"One in a Billion." One in a Billion. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. <http://oneinabillionblog.com/tag/consumerism-2/>.

"Robert Herjavec." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Apr. 2014. Web. 25 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Herjavec>.