Hi Angela,

I’m still disgusted by the apparent lack of concern expressed by the public over the plagiarizing of someone else’s creative efforts. Perhaps the scariest part of the whole scandal is the quote I read today that was attributed to Ubuweb founder Kenneth Goldsmith:

“It’s not plagiarism in the digital age – it’s [re-purposing]… Our notion of genius – a romantic – isolated figure – is (bleeping) outdated. An updated notion of genius would have to center around one’s mastery of information.” He added: “Should God sue me if I paint a river?”

If Goldsmith really said this, I would avoid using the Goldsmith website. He is an alleged poet, which is why I find it hard to fathom that he could make a comment like the one above. I have to wonder how he would feed if I “re-purpose” some of his work to wipe my behind.

Being a writer is hard enough without some famous actor stealing another’s work, but when you have the founder of a website alleged to be dedicated to education appearing to say that it’s open season on the creative works of artists of every ilk for re-purposing, someone has to draw a line.

JW

Editor’s Note: Profanity in the quote above was bleeped out by WritersWeekly.