Reflection+-+Cognitive+Surplus

Reflection #5 //Cognitive Surplus// K. Ashley Reflection Paper EDL 755

Recently my family purchased the first two seasons of Gilligan’s Island. I nostalgically watched hours of this classic show. When Shirky discussed the amount of time that we watch television, and the time that we waste by doing so, I was reminded of the few evenings of predicting what curious mishap Gilligan would get himself into in that episode and how Captain and the others would respond.

In his book, //Cognitive Surplus,// Shirky uses the gift of story to share his views of the developing world of social media in which we all participate. He creatively draws in the reader to think about the habits we have as citizens in a participatory culture. This book provides thought provoking ways to think about technology and the impact on our personal resources.

At the core of humankind is a strong sense to be connected. Shirky states, “Humans intrinsically value connectedness” (Shirky, 78/3681). We want to be connected with the people, places, media, and world around us. Due to this desire, “media has become the connective tissue of society” (Shirky, 80/3681). Even as the abundance of culture and society develops around us we are still bound to the intense emotion of being connected. What started as a manner of being connected to alcohol, print materials, radio voices, television characters, and now youtube sensations, we have a long history of finding a dim hope of connection in the world surrounding us.

In conjunction with trying to maintain relationships with the technologies that surround us, many in our culture are continuing their pursuit of harvesting a surplus of time and resources. This method of trying to make things better, leads to what Shirky says is, “the great tension in media has always been freedom and quality are conflicting goals” (Shirky, 614/3631). We may not be able to maintain both quality and quantity time with the things around us.

Shirky provides both a history and current look at examples of how humans are contributing to social media. Some of the factors he pointed out were that of having the means, motive, opportunity, and culture. Due to the fact that industrialization has shaped the way we have established our work-week, we naturally created a system that allows us the time to have a choice in what we do with our time. It means that we have the opportunity to select our time to do great things, or simply waste it away because we have an abundance of it.

Another factor that Shirky explores is that of motive. The book describes the two motives for our actions. It identifies, “two intrinsic motivations that might be labeled ‘personal’: the desire to be autonomous (to determine what we do and how we do it) and the desire to be competent (to be good at what you do)” (Shirky, 975/3631). In this chapter Shirky describes the gift of being an amateur. He states that “the essence of amateurism is intrinsic motivation: to be an amateur is to do something for the love of it” (1070/3631). I think we all want activities and interests that we can feel a joy and pride in. As a teacher, I want to be aware of giving my students opportunities in media that they will enjoy doing. The book shared that many amateurs use social media to find other people like themselves. These emotions bring us back to the feeling of belonging and connection that all humans desire.

The next quality that Shirky discussed is opportunity. In addition to just being connected, we want to do things that we enjoy. Due to the changes and ease of social media in the current age, many people are using “digital networks because sharing is cheap and participation is nearly universal” (Shirky, 1425/3631). It is interesting to consider how people treat each other within the context of the social media that are available. We are reminded that the way we treat each other online, or in person matter. As our dependence on technologies continue to increase and deepen, it will continue to be important that we teach our students the social skills associated with online relationships and collaboration.

Another quality that Shirky discusses is that of culture. As we consider the impact of technologies on our relationships, Shirky used some interesting stories to make us think about our connectedness within the cultures we are part of. As a part of social media, we know that there is a cost to sharing knowledge, and there is a dependence created within the context of collaboration. Shirky shared the example of using information online by amateurs (who want to find our about a disease) versus professional (learning how to treat the disease). This seemed relevant to me right now because my sister is facing some very difficult challenges with her pregnancy. She has met with countless specialists in the Washington D.C. area. Yet, when she wanted “real” answers, she sought connection from various online communities with other pregnant women who shared similar experiences. She found that she appreciated that the group would share their thoughts, but never tell others what they should do. In her case, she has found comfort and support with these women who may be strangers in one sense, and deeply close and supportive friends in another.

As I consider the information that Shirky shares, I am impressed with the connections he has made by looking at the intersection of technology and sociology. There is an online culture that has been created to share information, collaboration, and human connectedness. Through this system we are able to look at sharing of knowledge, skills and integration. I am hopeful that these connections will continue to lead us into a more enriched place in our lives. One humorous statement that Shirky used was, “creating real public or civic value requires more than posting funny pictures” (Shirky, 2289/3631). I am curious to see the implications of how we are impacted by technology with the current generations who have grown up in a world where they have been surrounded by these technologies since birth. Can we truly be a culture that can value the using the media for child-like fun and entertainment, and then develop into being able to use the same system for collaboration, professionalism and scholarly relationships? Our world has had a transformation in how information is shared and processed and I look forward to the implications on our world as a result of it.

References: Shirky, C. (2010). //Cognitive Surplus: Creativity and generosity in a connected age.// NY: Penguin.