A Few Thoughts on Plagiarism

A FEW THOUGHTS ON PLAGIARISM

The writers ultimate sin. "To steal or purloin and
pass off as one's own (the ideas, words, writing, etc., of
another)."

The penalties are harsh. Total rejection by the
writing community. (who ever they are) Your financial ruin
which will bring a sparkle to the eyes of lawyers. (both
yours and theirs) And the self realization that you have
committed one of the most debasing and reprehensible of
crimes - and got caught.

Since my high school days I have known the word
plagiarism, although it was only today I learned to spell
it. Now some fifty years later I can see how I have
prepared myself to become a writer whose works will be free
from the terrible P word.

The ascent of man over animals seems to involve the
passing on of ideas. I was not born intelligent,
but only a baby with little more than
potential. What I know, I learned from my parents, my
friends, my teachers and what I've read. Can I expect to
write one original thought when all I know I learned from
others?

During the past 60 years I have read little except the
daily papers, principally the comics and sports sections,
and occasionally the classified. I have not during this
time entered into any in depth conversations on any subject
except the weather, da Bears, and cars. As I probably will not
write on these subjects.

I reject research on any topic, for to do so only
exposes me to the words and thoughts of others. I shun
contact with the outside world.

Still this is of little solace. For in the back of my
mind rattles a saying I heard long ago. Realize, if I knew
the author of these words I would footnote them with proper
credits. Realize further that I claim no credit for myself
for the ideas they put forth. I shall now paraphrase I know
not who.

If an infinite number of monkeys were fumbling at an
infinite number of typewriters for an infinite amount of
time, every writing known to man would be duplicated.

Close enough.

Here's my problem. Can I write one sentence that in
all probability the prolific writer James Mitchner has not
written? Now I know that Mr. Mitchner's writings are not
infinite although he may come close, and the monkey part
doesn't fit at all. But multiply this with all the other
writers from Plato on down, all the books in all the
libraries, in all the languages, on all the subjects and you
can appreciate my concern.

Try as I might, I cannot guarantee the originality of
any of my ideas or word combinations. I thought I had one
with "baloney cake" but now I remember my sister uttered
this in 1943. Just yesterday I had the idea that the earth
might be pyramidal. An original opinion I thought. Then
the nagging realization that this might have come from Alice
in Wonderland. Therefore if you recognize some phrase or
idea in my plebeian manuscripts which you recognize
rightfully belong to Descartes or Agatha Christie, I ask
your forgiveness.

Oh oh! I think monkey number three billion twenty-nine
just pulled a duplicate of this writing from his typewriter.

END

Story ID:	578
Written by:	Dick Dunlap (bio, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Musings, Essays and Such
Location:	Roscoe IL USA
Year:	2006
Person:	Self