CHAOS BEFORE PREDICTABILITY

People are going nutbar on plagiarism and piracy right now, with disclaimers and neat little © symbols popping up everywhere but the thin air. If people don’t want their stuff ripped off, it’s fair enough – I wouldn’t either. But they’re not the biggest victim.

If anything, having someone steal your words is a complement. Whatever it is you wrote down was clearly deemed so good, someone wanted it for themselves. This is cheap, yes. Lazy? Pretty much. But also testament to the quality of your work that someone likes it so much they want it to be associated with themselves.

The moment they put finger to CTRL-C, all they’re really doing is giving another blow to their own creativity. Damaging their imagination one copy and paste at a time.

So, if someone does choose to rip you off, don’t get too angry. Just acknowledge the fact that essentially what they’ve done is told you you’re better than they can be bothered to be. A victim of their own idleness. Feel free to twat them with a spade though, too.