Name: How cognitive surplus will change the world
Uploaded: 2010-06-28T09:04:00Z
Duration: 12 min 50 s
Description: Clay Shirky looks at "cognitive surplus" -- the shared, online work we do with our spare brain cycles. While we're busy editing Wikipedia, posting to Ushahidi (and yes, making LOLcats), we're building a better, more cooperative world.

Clay Shirky looks at "cognitive surplus" -- the shared, online work we do with our spare brain cycles. While we're busy editing Wikipedia, posting to Ushahidi (and yes, making LOLcats), we're building a better, more cooperative world.

How cognitive surplus will change the world

A trillion hours of free time each year can now be channeled into shared projects, from crisis mapping violence in Kenya to creating viral cat memes. Digital tools let people move from passive consumption to active participation, fueling both silly and world-changing creations. The difference lies in how communal efforts deliver value—some delight groups, while others, like Ushahidi, benefit entire societies. The choice to design for generosity can transform what we accomplish together.

Cognitive Surplus Turns Spare Time Into Global Collective Power

Why an Internet "slow lane" is a terrible idea