Clay Shirky was a very strong speaker. His main idea was cognitive surplus. This idea is that everyone uses what they know and combines it for everyone to have access to. This idea is a wonderful idea because it relates to the future that Dan Pink describes. Dan Pink thinks the future is going to more creative and out of the box. This idea combined with cognitive surplus shows one thing. Information is everywhere. Anyone can fairly easily find out information about almost anything. I like this because it has endless possibilities. Everyone in the world can give any ideas, information and opinions that they have. There is an abundance of information in availability. The problem is no longer finding information; the problem is doing something with that information. What matters to me from this talk is not that everyone has access to information and has the ability to share information. What matters to me is that this information can be used to change the world. If people do not use this surplus of collective information to better something else in the world, then it is a waste. I think people should find where there is a large malaria breakout somewhere in Africa, find out how to help out and then act upon it. I think people should find where there has been a large natural disaster somewhere in the world, find out what that area needs, and act upon it. Clay Shirky is right; everyone should contribute and use the intrinsic motivation in them to share with the world. However, I think he did not go deep enough. People need to act upon this information. Part of the generous community he talks about is giving the information, but what good is the information if no one uses it to better the world? I think the other half that Shirky does not mention is taking this information, finding out what it means to you and then doing something with it. It does not have to even be something world changing. Maybe you find out a local recreation center needs extra volunteers to help out with kids’ summer camps. You then research good art projects for the age group you will be helping out. The summer camp then becomes a great experience for you and the kids you volunteered to watch for half a day for a week. By sharing and receiving information, the world can easily be more knowledgeable. Being more knowledgeable is good for the world, but imagine what could happen if nearly everyone was reaching out in little or big ways to better the world with the information they can now receive. It would be a worldwide step toward peace and happiness for everyone. This is what matters, creating happiness in yourself and others.
Clay Shirky was a powerful speaker with an interesting idea. He told stories, sly jokes and used pictures to his advantage. He gave a great idea, however I think there was a deeper message to be had from his talk. I hope in my talk to go really deep with the audience and really hit home with them. What matters is the future, the children and the betterment of the world by using all the information everyone in the world has to offer. It’s a thing called generosity that is lost through the ages as we grow up and focus on personal success. What if personal success and world betterment were the same thing for everyone?
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