Which is worse: copycats, or those quick to accuse others of copying? (2024)

I personally don't care for either.

On one hand, you've got the copycat. They may not know they're copying, or it may be a case of cryptomnesia. Or they may just not care. I think we can agree that copyright infringement and style biting just isn't cool. People should learn to think for themselves, and they can't really do that if they copy others.

On the other hand, some people are quick to accuse others of copying. Some people think everyone is trying to copy them, specifically, like this one person who thought I copied their story in a creative writing group because both our main characters had the same color shirt (and that was the only similarity, until I changed it). Or people who get mad when someone shows up wearing a black dress at a party, just like them.

Now, while I understand that people like to feel unique and it is kind of creepy to see someone dress exactly like you, maybe they didn't do it on purpose. Things like clothing are mass-produced and you're going to see some similarities, especially if you both shop at Walmart (or at similar stores in the mall). There are only so many cuts to a dress/shirt/pair of pants you can make.

For things like art, they should look at how much of it is similar, and the meaning behind it. If two people both make paintings involving elephants that are political commentaries, that's not really enough to make a case. But if both paintings are done in the same style, use the same colors, and have basically the same composition, then you might have to worry.

But things like this aren't really all that important, unless you're going into the "idea industry" (that's the only way I can think to put that). It's just the people around me sometimes make a big deal out of things like this, and it makes me think.

(Side note: the reactions to similar clothing, to me, seems particularly odd, considering how much emphasis is placed on conforming to fashion ideals at least, with some groups of young people, anyway.)

I'm an elephant. Rurr.

I'd say the accusers.

UN JOUR JE SERAI DE RETOUR PRÈS DE TOI

Accusers but I don't like either.

Seeing all these piss ant tropers trying to talk tough makes me laugh. If Matrix were here, he'd laugh too.

The accusers, if you ignore the extremes of both cases.

The extreme for the copycats would be those who just blatantly steal something and claim it as their own, while the extreme for the accusers would be copyright trolls.

Still the accusers, I guess. On average, at least.

And to say I was nervous... it wouldn't be quite enough.

Accusers because they're annoying as f*ck.

At least copycats just create their inadequate clones and move along, but accusers never shut the f*ck up, and try to look all clever when they're not. Hatedom in any form is stupid though, since devoting that much energy to something you don't even like is beyond dumb.

Hatedoms are fine when they are just having fun and don't take it too seriously.

Seeing all these piss ant tropers trying to talk tough makes me laugh. If Matrix were here, he'd laugh too.

At a certain point any creative endeavor can be said to be "copying". Everythings A Remix proved this rather handily. With that in mind, I side with those who say the haters are in the wrong. Those who are quick to assert "oh, (X) did it better, this person's just riding their name" deserve several swift kicks to the groin.

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed.~Cora M. Strayer~

The accusers are worse, in my personal opinion.

And like Drunk said, everything's been done before, and it'll all be done again. Doesn't mean that that's not a good thing, in some way.

People hold way too damn tightly to ideas. They need to be free, roaming from mind to mind.

At least copycats can be entertaining:

I Can't Believe it's Not Butter Beatles! But still pretty fun to listen to.

Insert witty and clever quip here.My page, as the database hates my handle.

accusers
i remembered copying my crush's love for environmental issues
basically she was like a modern hippie without the drugs cuz shes an eighth grader
now im a strong supporter of the greenies' environmental politics

being a copycat does have some benefits
writers always imitate their favorites
and have you heard about this guy named Quentin Tarantino
he is pretty badass

This level of trolling is reasonable for Commander Obvious. What do you think of this, everyone?

But there are plenty of 8th graders who do drugs.

Insert witty and clever quip here.My page, as the database hates my handle.

Wow, guys... way to go in shamelessly copying each other.

Because someone had to do it.

I don't get it.

Insert witty and clever quip here.My page, as the database hates my handle.

I don't get it either.

:D

I don't get it.

UN JOUR JE SERAI DE RETOUR PRÈS DE TOI

Neither do I.

And to say I was nervous... it wouldn't be quite enough.

I know what you're doing.

All according to plan.

LIGHT YAGAMI DID IT FIRST, THIEF!

The emotions of others can seem like such well guarded mysteries, people 8egin to 8elieve that's how their own emotions should 8e treated.

I know.

After all... I'm just copying him.

Copiers.

"Dr. Strangeloid, or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Cleanlink" - thespacephantom

Well, that wasn't terribly original.

Unless you were... ah, I understand.

edited 7th Feb '12 4:06:20 PM by kay4today

Unless I like people to be original.

"Dr. Strangeloid, or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Cleanlink" - thespacephantom