Thursday, November 3, 2011

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Or is it?

I think we've all been in a situation where you and a friend have bought the same dress or shoes or necklace. We usually laugh and say something like, "Great minds think alike." 

If a friend intentionally chooses to buy something you have, copying your appearance, it's wise to remember the adage at the beginning of the post.

But, what if someone copies your work? I have a different take on that. In 1975, I student taught in kindergarten. My supervising teacher  had made many creative center activities. I was in awe of them - both her and the activities. I effusively praised her creativity while worrying about how I could create things like that if/when I got a job.

In September of that year, I'm looking at professional books in my new school and what do you think I see? Yep, you're all so smart. I see those "creative" ideas that my former sorority sister had "created". Oh, did I forget to mention that part? Yes, this was my friend. Double pain.

Thirty-six years later I still remember that feeling of inadequacy. But, I learned I could find anything I needed in a book. (No, I didn't learn to not plagiarize. I'd already learned that lesson in grade school.)

For more about this issue in the blogging world and Pinterest, please read Allison's post here:

11 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I try hard to be sure that IF I recreate something I don't take credit for it being my idea. I agree that is so not cool.

Jeanine Byers said...

Wow, that must have been a disappointment, to realize that your friend had passed off something as hers when it wasn't. Like the commenter above, I try to give credit when I use something I have seen somewhere else.

LV said...

At my age, I do not have to worry about anyone coping anything I have.

Unknown said...

I hope I always let Nature inspire me ...sometimes I am inspired to do art when I look at others creativity but i would hate it if I felt I had to copy someone else to be able to make art. copying is not being creative and it just is an empty feeling I would think.

Great post G G

- KAT -

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Oh, Grammy, that is the one thing that bothers me the most. My work is mine, just as yours is yours, and nobody else should take credit for it. If I saw one of my pictures on somebody's blog and they said that like they took the picture then I would be very upset.

I look forward to checking out those links.

Kirsten @ Mushki Loves said...

It's so funny because on my last post I talked about how I can be such a copy cat...LOL! I think it is a form of flattery, but, I also believe you should give credit where credit is due! I think I would feel so guilty if I didn't!

Debbiedoos said...

Great thoughts here, and I totally get what you are saying. To me, being inspired is great, but putting your own twist on it is even better..it makes it your own, however with an initial influence.

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

As the oldest of 4 girls my mom used that saying on me all the time :) I think people should always "give credit where credit is due". But I know that doesn't always happen...this is a toughie out here in BlogLand isn't it? I agree with Debbie, fun to get inspiration from others sometimes...but put your own "spin" on it :) Laurel

Kerin said...

Have to agree with Laurel. Yes, give credit where credit is due.
It's fun to be inspired by others, and it's fun to be inpiring to others.

It's hard to pin-point just who has an idea first.
I have seen so many blog posts that claim to be original. How is that? I've seen the same idea dozens of times before.
Same with recipes...etc....
Hmmmmm.....

Jen-uinely Inspired said...

This happened to me once. I had posted one of my seasonal collages in a online scrapbooking photo gallery, because I like to share and really don't mind if people copy my ideas, but a friend of mine found that an online store had copied my seasonal collage almost to the T and had offered it as a tutorial on their site. I wouldn't have minded, except they didn't give me credit. I could have contacted them, but just let it go. Maybe if they had been charging for the tutorial I might have said something to them. I try and always give credit if I copy someone's idea.

Southhamsdarling said...

Hi there. That's a very interesting point that you have made there. As the lady was your friend, I would have thought that she would have said something, and not just stand back and take all the credit!! Even if I'm blogging and I see a little verse that I like, or something like that, I always ask the person before I use it, and then I always do a link to their blog. It's only good manners really, isn't it?!