WisconsInnovation

Co-creation (e.g., Wikipedia, Linux, etc.) typically depends upon the voluntary contributions of hundreds or thousands of individuals who provide their ideas, time, and energy without direct monetary compensation. This activity runs counter to traditional economic theory and is often viewed with considerable skepticism (i.e., "What is wrong with these people ?").



A new book, "Cognitive Surplus" by NYU professor Clay Shirky tackles this issue directly. In addition to reviewing prior academic literature on why individuals freely contribute to co-creation efforts, Shirky adds a new twist by arguing that many individuals have a "cognitive surplus" (i.e., time that we typically waste watching TV and surfing Facebook) and that the application of this surplus to co-creation activity provides individuals with a greater sense of accomplishment and well being.

Here is a link to Shirky's book on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Surplus-Creativity-Generosity-Connected/dp/1594202532

For those who prefer articles to books, here is a short synopsis of Shirky's basic ideas from an interview with Wired magazine:

For those who prefer videos to articles, here is a TED video of Shirky's basic ideas: