Discussion Topic: When inspiration turns identical

[XePhorce]

I'm often times inspired by others works when I try to make something of my own, I do my work, I'm not satisfied by it because I feel like I've copied someone else's work with out the intention of doing so.
I feel like I can never create anything unique. This has been a major problem of mine for quit some time right now.

What are everyone's opion on when inspiration goes to plagerism?
Be it web designing to skinning winamp3

[pixiefied]

the one who patents it first .......WINS!:D

[XePhorce]

Originally posted by pixiefied
the one who patents it first .......WINS!:D

I am looking more for some Discussion oriented reply.

[J. Burnaway]

Well, it's really impossible to do something totally unique. Everything is influenced, knowingly or unknowingly, but other things you have seen or experienced. Every single band you hear has been influenced by other bands, but I think you can tell who is coming up with good stuff, and who is ripping someone off.
With winamp 3, every skin coming out now is round (well, many of them). So I can't make a round skin? Sure I can.
I guess there is some fine line between inspiration and plagarism, and everyone sees that line in a different place. You are probably being to hard on yourself.

[Bilbo Baggins]

Some people would be very flattered if you chose to use their work as inspiration for your own, and their influence could plainly be seen in your work. It would not necessarily be copying.

[XePhorce]

Originally posted by J. Burnaway
You are probably being to hard on yourself.

Any solutions how I could ease this?

[Bilbo Baggins]

Lubrication.

[ujay]

Take advantage of history. If we do not learn from what has gone before, we are condemned to make the same mistakes.

Everything has developed from what has gone before, and even the most startling of discoveries can be traced back to a common pool of ideas, When asked how he saw the solution to celestial mechanics, Newton replied 'If I have seen further it is from standing on the shoulders of giants'

You are as free to dip into this same pool of ideas as any other, it is as much your heritage as anyone elses.

It's what you create that counts, just don't stop trying

UJ

[XePhorce]

Originally posted by Bilbo Baggins
Lubrication.

...is for wimps.

[Sandman2012]

Well, I'm a writer and it's pretty clear in fiction when something is plagerized. As for copying vs. inspiration I suppose with any medium it would be question of whether or not you are taking the thing that inspired you and exploring new territory or adding something new to it. Otherwise you are probably just re-hashing the same old thing.

[pixiefied]

:igor:

[pixiefied]

Originally posted by XePhorce


...is for wimps.





*shutters*at the thought of the caloses on his d***

[binary hero]

the best way to learn is by example, and if you don't make a 100% copy, then it isn't plagarisim.

[Xerxes]

There is only so many things you can do on a 2-D surface...

I say, create a niche in whtever you do, make it popular, and guard it like a hawk. :)

[Curi0us_George]

Originally posted by binary hero
if you don't make a 100% copy, then it isn't plagarisim.
That's a long way from true. When you paraphrase, that's still plagiarism. When you steal a concept, that's plagiarism. If it's not your work, then it's plagiarism.

P.S. This is assuming that you don't give proper credits, of course.