Assignment 21

 The book I read was Cognitive Surplus, by Clay Shirky.

1. This book was originally written as a sequel to a first book titled, Here Comes Everybody, which discussed the impact of social media. The general theme of Cognitive Surplus talks about how people's interaction with technology can impact the world and society. People are learning to use free time more constructively by interacting with social media and technology. Creative acts as opposed to consumptive ones.

2. One of the topics in the book are the different forms that "Cognitive Surplus" takes place (personal, communal, public, and civic). Shirky discusses that the civic value of interactions are the most powerful because they can actually change society. The ability for social media to impact society is what Shirky argues should be celebrated by the internet. I believe that this connects well with ENT3003 recently because we have discussed the importance of connecting with different people to grow your social capital.

3. I would have students give a report on how social media is used in one of the 4 forms discussed in the book: personal, communal, public, and civic. Use social media to gain information and describe how that fits into one of the for forms of cognitive surplus.

4. Each of the 4 forms of cognitive surplus are described as almost an increasing level of importance. Personal value deals with a singular motive on a whim. Communal value means sharing ideas that benefit a small group. Public value benefits a larger set of people outside of the original group. And last, Civic deals with values that serve to better society as a whole. When Shirky said that Civic was the most important, this is what connected with me. It is the most important because it helps the biggest group of people.