Comments on: Gin, Sitcoms and the Cognitive Surplus

By: AnnMaria

AnnMaria — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:06:51 +0000

I write two blogs regularly, do a lot of playing around analyzing open data from government and research sources and read a lot. Not so sure it is surplus if it is what I feel like doing.

I’ve always questioned the assumption that I am “wasting time” if I’m not getting paid for what I’m doing at the moment.

I might argue that working hours for pay over what I need to cover my expenses is “wasting time”.

By: Charlie G.

Charlie G. — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:47:32 +0000

I don’t think most people realize that the question was somewhat rhetorical. It is meant to provoke thought, which in my case it certainly has. And while I think it’s a marvelous and important question to ask ourselves, I’d like to propose that an even more important question, initial question that each of us should be able to answer is what is our purpose (or mission) in life, and what are our priorities in how we spend the resources (e.g. time) within it? To the extent that we each have this firmly in grasp (and I’m guessing that many who are in denial will scoff at this question from the start), and are embracing it consciously, our thoughts and actions will then be driven appropriately; thus, we will not be spending inordinate amounts of time watching tv, drinking gin, or kidding ourselves into believing we’re just fine the way we are, thank you very much.

All of this is something I refer to as “Value-Driven Thinking” as I shamelessly plug my (as yet unfinished, unpublished) book, entitled “Thinking with an Innovative Mind.” That being said, I’ve given this concept a tremendous amount of thought already. And I think that Shirky is SPOT ON with his having highlighted it. Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking question in the first place…

By: Eenerz

Eenerz — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:54:50 +0000

SOO wierd – I listened to a piece about Cognitive surplus THIS MORNING on CBC Radio 1 Spark program.

I like that we are now using our cognitive surplus for participatory activities instead of just consuming.

By: Bassman

Bassman — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:47:57 +0000

The theory is alright, and TV is overwhelingly a waste of time.
One problem is that the ‘crisis’ of Gin drinking in 17th, 18th century London was invented by the upper classes who were fearful of the restless poor.
The wealthy simultaneously supplied the gin, and chastised the drunks.
so, that hardly supports the theory of cognitive surplus.
Because I lack a diploma saying I paid tens of thousands of dollars for a formal education, I’ve always found myself relegated to jobs that don’t require much mental ability. Despite that I find many ways to keep my mind fit without garbage or filler.

I believe that most people don’t like to thik any more than they must. The drivel of commercial television and the superficial (or non-existent) media coverage of important issues serves the desire not to think, and also provides complete opinions. Modern media also discourages analysis or questioning of popular opinion. Media is the modern opiate of the masses.
People like to have thoughts and opinions provided. If only there were a cognative surplus.

By: Pippa

Pippa — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:10:45 +0000

Assuming I don’t count my holidays, and every second weekend, my annual surplus on TV and the Internet alone is:

1,348 hours. OH GOOD GOD SAVE ME FROM MYSELF.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:47:10 +0000

I watched Shirky’s presentation on youtube and didn’t find it a waste of my mental energies. Just like I don’t find watching other videos on youtube a waste of my mental time.

While I find his theories on cognitive surplus fascinating, I think that Shirky is unnecessarily harsh on television.

I just graduated with a degree in Television as fate would have it. And I find it totally insulting that Shirky dismisses the entire medium (and especially the sitcom) as a timesuck.

Entertainment has value. Unfathomable educational value and social significance. Yes, even According to Jim. Setting aside Shirky’s arguments against the medium itself, old-style three camera sitcoms make a theater out of every living room in America. Often it’s a person’s first exposure to acting, and staged drama. While the quality of the content is subjective, the value of this exposure cannot be shrugged off.

And many rightfully will argue that TV shows expose us to the worst of society, of entertainment. That entirely too much time is spent watching those shows. Many of us have had lost weekends with VH1 countdown shows, but even those shows provide us a social membrane. A means to interact with other people, converse and share ideals, disgusts.

Shirky just seems a little snobby, I guess. Why can’t the water cooler conversation topic be 30 Rock, politics, AND gin?

Sorry for the long comment, I’m a little touchy when it comes to slamming TV. It may be the medium of infomercials, but it’s also the medium of Mr. Rodgers and I truly believe the good redeems any of the “bad”

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:01:58 +0000

Pinball, MF, Lost, GTA, Facebook, Netflix, and multiple Beers. And Pancakes.

Total Annual Surplus: Way too much.

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:22:07 +0000

My surplus is so vast, it’s embarrassing.

But I enjoy it greatly with Lost, Netflix, Mental Floss, Cross-stitching, and…………Gin. (Or rum, or beer.)

By: Christophe

Christophe — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:05:50 +0000

I think my annual surplus (with the exception of work) is music and all measures relating to it:

-listening, shows, playing. I spend a large amount of time in this subject. However, you can always multitask while listening to music.

I can’t think of a better way of spending my time with the exception of being socially active.

By: Julianna

Julianna — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:44:03 +0000

My surplus is used in going to school full-time, while working full-time, being a single mom, and having a long distance relationship.

TV? What’s TV? Only once or twice a week do I think to get on here, mentalfloss.com, to read, which is how I use my surplus.