Is anything really original? Plagiarism and copyright claims are exploding in every field. Yet all invention is based on limited materials and the work of those who went before.
‘There’s only so many notes in pop music’
Is anything really original? Plagiarism and copyright claims are exploding in every field. Yet all invention is based on limited materials and the work of those who went before.
Is anything really original?
Yes: Anything we create comes from our experiences. And our experiences are unique to us. No matter how closely our creations resemble or draw on those of others, they come from a distinct source.
No: There are more people in the world than new ideas. Even if we set out to make something original to us, it is probably unknowingly influenced by something that we have seen, heard or done before.
Or... Until we know everything that has ever been created, we are in no position to decide what is original or not. We should stop caring about whether x came before y, and just enjoy what we have.