Cognitive Surplus for the Better

This is interesting because cognitive surplus is not a defined discrete idea. But the way Shirky uses cognitive surplus is defined as being active in some way doing something productive. This is interesting because Shirky describes some of the past cognitive surplus’ such as when people in the 20’s were drinking gin and other type of alcohol in their free time for enjoyment. In recent times people have watched Television as a form of cognitive surplus. But today we are using social media as our cognitive surplus. Interacting as a world becoming a community. Overall the idea of social media being considered active might sound strange but the fact that we are all using it and spreading word faster than ever is extremely active. I personally believe that we are doing good for the future because this cognitive surplus is leading to more creative thinking and a completely remodeled way of interacting with each other that we have never seen before. In this reading there is a ton of repetition with the words mouse, gin, cognitive surplus, and youth. I think Shirky see’s a change in our cognitive surplus that will benefit out youth. Literacy relates to this because in every day social media we are being literate and active with our ideas, thoughts, and ways of thinking. We are all shifting and the way it seems is for the better.