Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Take A Break: Share your Cognitive Surplus


Thank you to Vivienne and our conversation last week, which sparked this post.

 “Cognitive surplus” is a term coined by Clay Shirky and means the time freed from watching television, which can be enormously productive when applied to other social endeavors. Technology has turned many past consumers into producers. This new production capacity, combined with humanity's willingness to share, can change society if applied to civic endeavors. Wikipedia 
The short version is that social media offers incredible ways to share your ideas, gifts and talents, which community can benefit from.

Healing Whole is my sharing “cognitive surplus” to benefit those affected by chronic conditions. Interestingly, until I started writing this post, I hadn’t thought of it in terms of what the benefit has been for me. There have been many-from learning all sorts of new ideas for weekly “take a breaks;”  having an outlet for my frustrations with health care; as well as knowing I can help someone by writing or referring them to a post. Further, and maybe best of all, it keeps me studying and researching.

So here are some ways you can share your cognitive surplus.

 Citizen Science: Help make science happen by volunteering for a real research project 


• Establish an on-line presence for your community (family, friends, neighborhood, condition specific support group etc.) whereby they can interact to create a more positive environment using the social marketing tools of blogs, Instagrams, Facebook  and/or Twitter.

• Participate in Patients Like Me. By sharing your data, experiences, support and research you can “Live Better, Together.” 

Watch Clay Shirky at TED giving his How Social Media Can Make History


Not interested in today’s activity? Check out the Take a Break Pinterest for lots of Take a Break ideas. 

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