Great points. I don't know you, but I wonder if something in particular has inspired you to post this...
I've been writing a bit about the Mimetic Theory of Civilization, as postulated by Rene Girard. He basically says that every social interaction of any social animal is an element of the same drive: Unsuccessful creatures & people try to become successful by copying success. We do this all the time, in every conceivable way. Babies learn how to speak by mimicking their parents. They learn to behave in society by copying those around them. They attach value to things not because of any intrinsic value, but because someone else values that thing. It goes the same for love. We become rivals with other people because we desire the same things or people that they do. When this rivalry gets out of hand, violence occurs. When the violence gets out of hand, murder happens. When an entire society becomes desirous of things to the point of violence, war happens.
The 10th commandment in the Bible says Do not Covet. Covet should be translated as DESIRE. Do not Desire anything your neighbour has, and you will be alright.
To relate to your post, people copy each other in cheesy ways because they desire what the original creator has achieved. Instead of giving credit and working to improve on the idea, they make a second rate copy, become unsuccessful, and grow to resent the original creator. We can only get past this and uncover the true meaning behind the 10th Commandment once we learn to appreciate others' work and give proper commendation. Props.
Great post, and thanks.
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Well thought out reply, my friend and I agree with you.
I rarely copy anything and when I do I think it is important to pass the knowledge along.
I am thinking specifically about famous quotes that have an intrinsic knowledge!
Excellent reply and you touched upon the spirit of this post. Copying isn't inherently bad but if you don't even bother to take the time to understand what it is you are trying to copy and compete with then it will fail and people should be mad at themselves, not the ones they copied. IDK if you saw my green unicorn post but that is a parody of one of the things that inspired this post.
Never heard of Rene Girard.
The Mimetic Theory of Civilization sounds fascinating,can't wait to read more about it.
Have been reading the Bible lately,mostly Genesis and Revelations ;what an amazing book.