Lawrence Lessig gave examples on how others become multimedia authors. He explains the importance of technology starting with the past. Plagiarism has evolved over time and it seems to have several degrees. Some degrees bring out more of a creative side and other degrees are usually not intentional. There is a fine line between plagiarism and creativity. Our world is turning into a big melting pot and with that comes a cluster of cultures. It's not unusual to see a cluster of cultures combines into one.
For example, let's look at the historical piece of Pride and Prejudice. This classic was written by Jane Austen over centuries ago and it is still popular today. Someone who was fond of this book, Seth Smith decided to extend this century old classic into a pop culture phenomenal. He does give credit to Austen but he added his own twist. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was his new edition to the romance novel.
We are starting to see spin-offs like this in every form whether it's with books, music, or any other pieces made by new authors. The question is, is it pop culture and creativeness or is it plagiarism? This question is transforming the degrees of plagiarism. When does it cross the line? Would you consider Pride and Prejudice and Zombies a plagiarism piece
1 comment:
Nikki, the zombie book is a great example. Note how it lists Seth Smith and Jane Austen as authors. So, it makes it a collaboration, it moves the fan/amateur to the same status as the original, it even makes it difficult to tell the difference. The book uses Austen's own language and then this radically different language. It doesn't try to blend or make invisible the other material. It feels "remixed" in an explicit way. On first glance, "Pride and Prejudice" and Zombies seem totally different. How does it succeed? That might be the criteria by which we judge whether this is new and creative, and therefore not a form of plagiarism.
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