I agree with Shirkys’ view. Shirkys’ explanation of “cognitive surplus” has two parts, collaborating for communal purposes and also for civic purposes. This concept of collaboration for civic purposes is to help aid people in need of help ( ie. The use of platforms such as Twitter, Facebook etc.. in Egypt and many of those countries that recently spoke out to the world), which is bringing all the people around the world together, those who are concerned for those in need can collaborate and help.
Shirky states that in the 20th century and even early 21st century users of the internet only consumed what was on the internet, not because they were necessarily lazy but because there wasn’t the opportunity to create. He then goes on to explain that now with blogging , cell phones and many other types of media outlets users can create content and can be producers and even one who just creates something intended to be a joke is contributing (Communal purposes). His focus though is Civic value that its not just about helping those that use the platform but it helps everyone in that society, because of these collective efforts from people everywhere in the world. He believes that once we use or time on the internet to create civic value rather than communal or entertainment on the internet, then “cognitive surplus” can change the world.
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