I have started reading Clay Shriky’s book Cognitive Surplus. So far I find myself conflicted half ways through the book, while I agree that there is plenty of mental waste out in the world there seems to be a lack of consideration of the quality and a quantity of this surplus that can be leveraged for spare projects. He cites the 8-8-8 break down of time eight for work, eight for free time and eight eight for sleep. Shirky focuses on the eight hours of free time for calculating this surplus that can be applied to various project facilitated through social works enabled be digital technologies.

Like many people I have many responsibilities that consume that precious eight hours that quite often eats into that eight hours reserved for sleep. Does that mean that I do not have spare time, absolutely not. Over the past few years I used that spare time to  finish my Master’s degree. But this pursuit often displaced time with my family or household duties, it was with the support of my family that I was able to keep life in check. But I graduated in May, what have I been doing with my time? This time has been spent enjoying the company of my wife and family, taking up those house project that I had put off for so long, and even doing a bit of nothing at all because I can.

The eight hours that is in in question get used for many duties that I suspect that other have to deal with, as well. Meals, yes feeding myself and family. There is a meal before work and after that likely eat up at least an hour of that time, if I cook a family meal in the evening that can easily be an hour and a half to cook and eat with the family. Commuting, that driving to and from work, requires between one hour and two hours. Personal hygiene requires 30-40 minutes, we have to clean ourselves. Household clean up and maintenance takes time whether you live in a apartment or house. And lets not forget the kids, if you have them, they can take up quite a bit of time and make other duties take longer. After all this I am tired sometimes, I may be even a bit tired thinking about it.

I am hoping that Shirky accounts for “life” in the last few chapters but I am not feeling him getting there. I do not think his theories are off base but I do believe that he over estimates the availability of free time.