Ya know what’s painful?
When you see your ideas ripped off by people in their blog posts and interviews. You read something and its almost verbatim what you have said to them. It’s taken almost directly from the work you have sent them or told them about.
It’s so crummy.
The good thing is, these sorts of people are really not idea-generators, but are collagists. They are good at making things sexy and shiny. They are good at persona.
If you are someone who has gone through this, we can rest in the never-ending creative supply of years of formal training and the hard work of self-reflection.
I’m not going to make an elaborate policy page, I’m going to just let it go. Take what you want, but why not give credit? Why not follow the academic and spiritual tradition of acknowledging source?
I could spend time taking this sort of thing on, but instead, I’m going to follow the poets (as usual).
If this is a barb in your side also, I offer this to you.
And actually, this is just wonderful advice all-around.
“let it go–the
smashed word broken
open vow or
the oath cracked length
wise–let it go it
was sworn to go.
let them go–the
truthful liars and
the false fair friends
and the boths and
neithers–you must let them go they
were born
to go
let all go–the
big small middling
the biggest and all
things–let all go
dear
so come love”
– e.e. cummings
{ 17 comments }
that is really beautiful.
when i see people using my stuff i try (TRY) to see it as a reminder that my supply is unlimited. i can give freely and know that there is always more for me to draw on, so no need to worry about what others are doing.
.-= ABCcreativity´s last blog ..intention movement =-.
You are just an inspiration Bindu. Everyone will come to take your goodies.
.-= Megan Matthieson´s last blog ..Yeah! New York =-.
I guess you could be flattered but I’m sure there is a fleeting moment of ‘whatthehell?!?’. Absolutely best to let it go though, tis the Zen way.
.-= Genna´s last blog ..Minimalist moving-packing kinda =-.
This is a great, authentically honest post – can I ask, though, why not say something to that person? Sometimes we soak up ideas into ourselves and they become our own, in a way – maybe they didn’t realize that the original source of that idea was you. Maybe they just didn’t know. I have a hard time believing that there are that many people out there blatantly thinking, “Here’s a successful person, I think I’m going to steal all their ideas and make money off of it.” I know people do it; I’m not so naive to think that no one is guilty. But I believe people are good at heart and I really feel like many people commit ‘accidental plagiarism.’ Why not just say, “Hey, that sounds like something I said, is that where you got the idea? I’m glad it resonated you, but could you possibly credit me for it?”
I really don’t know if I believe that some people are idea-generators and some art not. I think everyone is an idea-generator. It’s just a matter of whether or not they discover that part of themselves & utilize it.
Just a thought.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..when we forget to be kind =-.
Great poem. Thanks for sharing (and also properly citing
the author).
.-= Scott McDowell´s last blog ..Small Actions Change the World- Too =-.
I think there’s a sacred element to naming our teachers, and it feels good to be grateful for them in public. Perhaps those who try to pass these things off exclusively as their own are so full of the fear that they will never be successful that they have to keep chasing the fame/money/etc.
Those who are really *hearing* your lessons are happy to mention you to others.
.-= Juliana´s last blog ..Friday Poetry- Wonder =-.
Hi Bindu,
I have had that happen to me and it is not a fun experience. Karma is a law of the universe so what goes around comes around. Plus…someone wise once told me that people may steal your finished product but that does not mean that they can duplicate the essence which made the finished product. So if someone copied your words…they did not copy your heart and creativity.
Plus…only a weak person would steal and take credit for the work of another. So as that poem beautifully stated…you are on the right path!
.-= Nadia Ballas-Ruta´s last blog ..Project Update- Official Launch Information =-.
Thanks for this post. You speak something I have thought felt and experienced, and you speak it beautifully.
The courtesy of acknowledgement makes all the difference in the world doesn’t it?
.-= Janice Cartier´s last blog ..Squishy =-.
i struggled with this as technology made it possible to find my photographs
all over this digital universe
After a month of feeling pissed off and frustrated I realized that as with every moment in my life, I can chose Peace, instead of this.
I was wasting precious hours of life trying to control what i had long since let go of
Like the amazing penguin mothers in the March of the penguins who travels hundreds of miles to find food for their babies,then return to hundreds of thousands of penguins covering miles of shoreline
Each Mother knows exactly where their family is and amid noise confusion and distraction, finds her way back to them every single time
much love,
So sorry this has happened to you.
And good for you letting it go. I like that you are not ignoring it. You are acknowledging it, understanding it and then letting it go. I think to many think letting go means ignoring or denying something is what it is.
And the poem? A pleasure and a wisdom.
.-= Kimberley McGill´s last blog ..Power Stories =-.
Hi Bindu
Sorry to read of your pain and annoyance, and I’m glad you could express it all so well, as you do…acknowledging pain is part of “letting it go”.
What a beautiful poem – what a comfort those words are, to know how the human experience is shared by all of us.
Thank you, and Peace
.-= Yael Brisker´s last blog ..A Tale of Kindeness in Cypress =-.
Bindu,
I have mixed feelings about this. Besides the sacred and intellectual obligation to cite sources, I love how the Internet can bring people together….someone reads a site where they use info from you (with credit) and it just makes the circle bigger and more interesting. It’s sad and frustrating when some don’t play by the rules.
I think Michelle has an interesting perspective…perhaps the person didn’t quite realize what she or he was doing, and if you contacted the person, that might help both of you? At the same time, I understand that at some point (whether before or after the contact) it absolutely is important to let go.
I’ve known this for ages, and I always forget. Like this past week. And so I thank you, once again, for reaching out and for being so clear. I love the poem, too! Know that you’ve eased at least one person’s heart today. :: slaps head :: I forgot to let go!
Cheers!
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but this type of scraping sounds more to me like theft. As awakened as one might be, it still feels like a violation. I’m sorry you had to experience this.
While it may be of little consolation, Bindu, I’ve reminded myself in similar situations that, like a drop of ghee water, authenticity always rises to the top. Thank you for your hard work.
.-= Dasi´s last blog ..The Ruben Principle =-.
Thanks for the post, and wow that poem. Wow that POEM. Thank you.
.-= Making Space´s last blog ..Beans =-.
I hear ya, Bindu. And second the notion that you’re an inspiration. Scraping…good one Dasi;)
.-= Cheryl Chavarria´s last blog ..Giving Into Reverie =-.
Feeling you on the pain and annoyance and honouring you for the dedication to your own freedom, which means letting go of it all when you are ready.
.-= Marianne´s last blog ..Not a manifesto- just a list of 10 things I’ve learned lately =-.