I first started blogging when I moved to Iowa, so I could keep my family and friends in the loop. I quickly realized that there was a whole network out there of blogs that were interesting to read, and I could make friends by reading and commenting on other people's blogs. I love learning about people. I love finding things in common with others. I love learning new ways of looking at things and opening my mind to new experiences and new people. So I changed the name and URL of this blog so it could be more of a social outlet, and created a private family blog that is more of a journal for our family (it is private because my husband's job necessitates that). I also love being entertained, learning about new recipes I might possibly make one day, and finding good deals.
And now, on to today's post:
Last week, Rhonda posted about plagiarism, or people who intentionally steal people's blog posts, word for word, and post them on their own blogs as their own story. Erika on Long Live Locke has had major problems with this herself recently. I know it's happened to Loralee in the past. While I don't think this will happen to me, since I'm not really an eloquent writer, I think it's sad that some people would stoop to this. Are they lazy? Want more attention? Do they think they will never be caught? Or do they like the thrill of the possibility that they might be? I personally don't get it. Why have a blog if it's not your own? One of the things I love about blogging is that I can create whatever I want with my blog - I don't want to be a cheap copy cat.
On a similar subject, that Rhonda also wrote about, is people who lie on their blogs about stuff. Like, more specifically, people who write about bad things happening to them to conjure up sympathy, and therefore comments. This really ticks me off too. One of the biggest reasons I blog is for the social aspect, and to think that I may be reading someone's blog who isn't actually telling the truth about their life totally bugs me. If you are going to lie, you are not the kind of person I want to associate with. I value honesty, sincerity and kindness. I really, really hope that any person whose blog I read is honest and forthcoming with me.
On a final note, I am myself on this blog. I am a little ashamed to admit that I honestly ate two entire boxes of Thin Mints (minus one cookie my 6 year old ate) in four days. But I am telling you the (disgusting and unhealthy) truth. I don't want to be anyone but myself. And I want to be able to be myself, without worrying about what anyone else thinks. So if you don't like what you see/read on my blog, then you don't have to come back.
So.....how's the weather where you live?
57 people wanted to leave a comment:
It took you only four days to eat two boxes of Thin Mints. I'm sure I could do it in two, maybe even one!
It's been raining a lot here--it's kind of getting me down! Maybe I should blame it on the rain.
My sentiments exactly! Preach on!
The weather's great over here! :)
I hadn't even thought about people lying on their blogs. I guess it's because I read very real bloggers. There is no inconsistency and I feel I have a relationship with them. Plus, you can just tell their good people. That whole other world of deceitful blogging is a sad, strange place that makes me depressed just to think about.
And please don't think it's THAT disgusting to eat two boxes of thin mints in four days. That sounds like fairly decent self control to me. :)
Personally, I love the fact that you ate 2 boxes of Thin Mints in 4 days...I think it means we're kindred spirits!
It's beautiful here!
I feel the same way. That's why I put a real and recent photo of myself on my blog. This is really me.
When I went to a conference this weekend people I blogged with actually recognized me! It was so cool.
Wow, I have never heard of people totally just copying blog posts. I do find it kind of funny/sad when I find two blogs that practically identical in format, style, content; but they just each have their own stuff. You know they got some major "inspiration" from that other person. ;)
I know at times when I have found a blog I really like I find myself almost tempted to make it like that, but then I always come back to, no my blog is for me, I want it to be honest to who I am.. and if it isn't the most popular or anything than so be it.
Wow, I said a lot. Sorry :)
I have not come across any plagiarism of that nature on my blog, but I have seen some of our Web pages at work taken and used verbatim. I am pondering writing my "Give credit where credit is due" post where I give my thoughts and feelings about the subject along with an explanation of my creative commons license that I set up for myself.
I believe honesty IS the best policy. I find that I am honest to the best of my ability on my blog as well as in my comments on other people's blogs as well. It has served me well in knowing that those who choose to read my writing are those who identify with "me" and are not reading because of some false persona.
I finally posted on my blog today. Check it out, you'll love it!
I too, had never heard of the blog plagerism. I'll have to be careful and really pay attention from now on. I've written some really great stuff on my own blog I'm just certain people would want to steal. ☺ Really? Are people really that desperate for attention, they do that? Very sad?
I try to be as honest as I possibly can on my blog. I don't always share my bad days, (I have a lot of them, but no one wants to hear gloomy stuff all the time) but all of the experiences I do share really did happen. Like yesterday, I really did have a headache and I really did want sympathy and that's why I blogged about it. ☺
Very few things upset me more than finding out someone's been dishonest with me. I'm so with you there.
I just read the Uglies series by Scott Westerfield and the fourth book, Extras, made me think about blogging and Facebook and all that. It sets up a society where your worth as a person is based on your popularity. Basically, if the amount of friends you had on Facebook or the amount of comments or hits you got on your blog determined where you lived, what kind of clothes you could where, places you could go, etc. Pretty heavy stuff. I wish you didn't have to read the first 3 books to understand the 4th because I think I liked it the best.
Amen sister!! My blog is the honest to goodness truth. Whether it be good, bad or ugly.
I hadn't heard about this. I only read blogs of friends/family or friends of friends/family. But that would be super annoying to think that you're not reading something that is true or something that is original.
The weather...well, lets just say I'm ready for it to be consistent!
Oh, and I ate 2 bags of reeses peanut butter eggs in a week! Mmm. They were so good.
That was such a time for all involved with the stealing of posts. I couldn't believe it. Really sad. Life holds enough for us all individually, I think we need to stick with what we live.
I didn't realize people lie to get sympathy though. I need to read between the lines better.
Love that Rhonda. She is a firecracker.
The sun is finally out today. I got most of the outside painting done on Friday when it was 90 degrees (basically too hot to paint, but it was going to start raining that evening.) I still need to get a little more painting done, but I need someone strong to hold the ladder while I hoist my pregnant body up. My center of gravity isn't what it used to be! The rain will be back for 2 more days starting tomorrow. Will I ever get this house ready to sell?!?!
I've heard of people making up their blog posts, but to steal someone's? How lame is that?
I saw a blog friend plagarize someone else, a very popular blogger. It totally caught me off guard. Not OK>
The whole cjane debacle was maddening. I couldn't believe that girl whose entire blog was made up of stolen posts from cjane and several other bloggers. She even had a book deal because her writing was so great! Not really understanding that.
I'm totally with you on keeping it real. I know lots of people lie on message boards, so why wouldn't they do it on blogs? I don't understand then need for that either.
Crazy stuff.
guess I'd never thought about people lying... but I'm sure it happens. Totally not fun though.
What I think is really sad is when people's real lives are lacking to the point they feel like they have to create a life online for purpose and fulfillment.
I always ask myself the question in order to keep everything in proper perspective... if someone told me that I had to walk away from the blog and never post again, could I do it? As long as I feel comfortable saying 'absolutely' then I feel like I can keep blogging. As soon as it becomes too much of a priority to me, that's when I feel like i should take a step back. That isn't to indicate that I don't love the people that I've met through blogging, and that I don't appreciate being able to keep up with so many old and new frinds, but the comments, the numbers, the followers, the narcissism... it can't take over. When people are making up stories and lying on their blogs, I would guess they are focusing much more on those things, and not just the joy of interacting and fostering support.
I totally agree. Why would you lie or steal for a blog? Is your life really that pathetic that you don't have your own stories? Everyone has stories, even if it is eating two boxes of thin mints. You post reminded me that I have thin mints in the freezer which I set to eating last night. Yum!
Since my blog is mainly for my family and friends to enjoy, it would be a disaster if I lied. Everyone would totally know! I don't get it. I don't have a private one, my one is it, it's me, the good, bad, and most often ugly. I do it for me, my friends, my family, and if others happen to enjoy it, all the better.
No need to steal, or lie. I don't get it.
For starters-the weather where I live is making me angry! And you know I'm telling the truth cuz I posted pictures:)
One time I posted something VERY similar to Rychelle's post. But, in my defense, I had already written my draft, and then I went to her blog and she posted it! I think she went to the future and copied me...
I can't believe people would plagarize on a blog....it's just a blog. Crazy. Anyways, it's been sunny for the last week or so, but this morning we're back to the gray skies and rain. So sad.
You said it, sista! I try to be genuine, and I assumed everyone else does the same, but this plagiarism thing is more common than I thought. Too bad.
Sunny and 30 degrees here.
Wow, I sure was shocked to read that I had had a blog post stolen!
So I quickly clicked on the link to see which of my not-so-insightful posts that someone (who must have been Very desperate) had to steal. . . but the person you are referring to is 'Lorelle' and not me!
(Easy mistake to make! But I am flattered that you instantly thought of me when you read about her problem. heehee)
I love all your comments on my blog, by the way. They're the best! Maybe someone should plagiarize those!
:~D
The weathers windy where I live.
I've got something for you on my blog. Go check it out.
I don't get bloggers who make stuff up. Yeah, I get they're trying to be funny or whatever, but I like to read about you. The real you. Not some made up fantasy you that you display because you want people to think you're sooo perfect (like TAMN--she bugs)
And seriously? It took you a whole 4 days to eat 2 boxes of thin mints? I could plow through 2 boxes in 10 minutes.
Actually, it's quite a talent I have. I could eat any fat guy under the table. Wanna watch?
I can't figure out why people would lie on their blogs!!!
I love your blog, so I gave you anaward--come check it out (busymomto6@blogspot.com)
The best thing about my trip this weekend was meeting bloggers I've known for years and finding them to be exactly how they represent themselves to be. The feelings of friendship carried over beautifully for the virtual world to the real one, and I know some of them will be friends for life. It's an amazing feeling.
I have to say that I don't understand the plagiarism/lying on blogs either. I think that people who do those things have some deeper problems that they need to look into. I mean yes I would LOVE to sound more eloquent than I am but I would never take someone elses words. If I did I would give credit where credit was due.
The weather here today is beautiful a slight breeze in the 60's with a few clouds. My walk was lovely.
I hope I never know if people are lying on their blog to get attention. I would be pretty bugged about that too. I wish someone would steal my blog posts... ha ha... maybe then I would know I am more interesting. just kidding. Anyway, I don't even understand why people would do that. Isn't it funny how something like a blog could turn into a competition? I never care about any of that. I like to put up pictures of what we do (when we do anything fun) for my own personal "journal". If people like to read about it, Great!
And the weather..... well it's Utah. :)
Love you Erin! And thanks for your email the other day. There is so much crap going on. I haven't had time to sit down and get it all out. Maybe today... because I desperately need someone to talk to. I LOVE YOU Cousin!!!!
I love your blog Erin and I love how you are YOURSELF :) I too cannot understand why anyone would want to take words that were not their own...have that outlet to talk about whatever is in their heart at any given time.
My theory as to why anyone would plagiarize is that they want to put ads on their blog and they're paid by the traffic they get and they get more traffic if they sound like a good writer. This is the theory I came up with after thinking hard, because personally I have way too many words (yes, boring and banal and repetitive, but MY words, MINE) to ever need or want to borrow anyone else's.
P.S. I could totally run circles around you in Thin Mint consumption -- I'd make you look like a measly amateur.
I just finished off a one pound box of See's chocolate in two days by myself. Awesome. I guess the diet starts tomorrow...
Um, the weather is beautiful.
And WOW...I didn't know this stealing and lying thing happened so often. Seriously lame. I don't get it. But I suppose people who are starved for attention do crazy things to get that attention in any venue. Not all people...but some people. It kind of makes me sad for them.
you totally have me laughing. the bottom would be a great "tuesday confessional" to share. Mombabe hooked me up with the mr. linky. (yay)
and the weather today: very nice. :)
the part of blogging i enjoy the most is "meeting" new friends and connecting with people.
i did in fact travel to the future just to steel barbaloots post. i'm sorry. ;)
it's way too windy here!
The weather is great in Phoenix. Not hot yet.
And just so you know, it's all a lie. I'm not really Jill and I didn't really live down the street from you on Anne Circle four or five years ago. JK.
Should I be offended that I've never been plagiarized? And maybe now would be a good time to confess that I'm really an 18 year old professional model that just pretends to be a mom in blogland because of all the sympathy I get when I post about my kids wiping boogers on the walls. I hire cute child actors to post as my children too. Is all this bad? (wink.)
I made chocolate cake with chocolate frosting before Adam went on his 48hr shift and purposely made him eat 4 peices... just so I could eat as much as I wanted while he is gone. I think sometimes I am too honest and scare people away. ooops!
I don't understand the whole plagiarism thing at all. I have a friend who steals other writers' posts all the time, and she doesn't think it's any big deal. She has even been confronted by the author to remove their content, and she still doesn't see what the big deal is!
I'm like, "Dude, you're stealing! Hello!" I told her if she ever stole my stuff I would totally kick her a** because I know where she lives. I'm kidding. Kind of. What is so wrong with being yourself?
The weather here necessitates a canoe to cross the street.
Montgomery, AL - 83 and hot as bananas. Well, hot bananas... ok... you get it.
It's sticky too... BOO the South!!
The plagarism is not something that I have come across thankfully and hope that I do not anytime soon.
I have seen the stories of woe and dispair that turn out to be false. That I can't get over. I know that everyone is drawn to the drama, but surely people must have some type of moral backbone. It saddens me when this is not the case.
-Francesca
I never lie on my blog. I always try to be myself. It's not annoying when people think that lying will get them more attention! Sometimes my posts are just boring, and that's how it is and how it will remain!
And this - THIS - right here is why I love you.
I had never heard of people stealing blog posts?!? What has the world come to?
I find real life way too interesting and entertaining to make anything up...plus, I'm just not that creative.
Love you blog, and thanks for your sweet comments :o)
Good for you. On multiple counts. And especially on sharing 1 cookie with your six year old, I don't think I would have been that nice!
And the weather tonight--SUCKED!
I agree with you. It is sad that some people actually steal other's posts. I only try to be me and if that isn't good enough I guess people don't have to read my blog.
I've had some theft lately, myself... I need to look into copywriting.
Blog stealing? Rude. I may take bits that I have liked from someone (like scripture or funny stories to pass on) but never the whole thing. I like to blog for fun and just so people can see how life is with 5 kids and working full time plus it is an emotional and great outlet for my mental insuffiencies:)
There have been times when I think "is this person for real". Its sad..that there have been dishonest people out there, that would even make me ask that question!! And stealing content..don't get me started on that one.
One of my greatest heartbreaks in life was when my stomach could no longer tolerate mint as chocolate mint is my fave flavor ever. I vote you eat another box of Girl Scout cookie thin mints for me.
Only 2 boxes of Thin Mints? I have downed three boxes (albeit only 14 per box) of my favorite Carrs Ginger Lemon cookies.
I think we hit on a nerve.
It was actually cjane who brought up the horrible pain in the behind issues of plagiarizing.
It never occurred to me, up until last week when someone brought it to my attention, that someone would steal a blog post. Really? I know no one would ever steal mine, but I can't believe they would steal someone's words or life. Crazy! I guess identity theft doesn't stop with credit cards and driver's licenses. Why would anyone lie on a blog? Most people don't know you in person anyway (ah, I guess that would be why). So strange, seriously, seriously strange. I am all about being real and this is just flooring me right now.
I totally agree that stealing blog posts is wrong. What I do think is sad is the way that it was handled. I felt the blog posts that "called out" the plagerists were a bit over the top. I will actually not read one of their blogs again because I felt that it was unnecessary.
HAH I can kick your butt in the cookie eating department...that's an afternoons supply for me! I can't imagine anyone wanting to steal one of my posts...but I guess if someone is that desperate then have at it. It would make me really sad however to find out that one of the blogs I visit was lying about something important like their health or their families health or something serious like that. That's just a mean and rotten thing to do. I'm pretty sure however that the wonderful people I visit wouldn't do something like that! There are so many terrific people here to visit and I love this place!
ROFL! Awesomelly written. I am very entertained. You see I just started in January with this whole blogging thing--again to let the FAM and friends know what I was up too. And then it happened. I realized too that there was this BIG WHOLE BLOGGY family that I was not apart of yet. And I wanted to be. So I signed up on MMB like 2 days ago and already have like 20 friends. It's awesome! (I use that word alot, huh?) Well, I could use it's fantastically delicious. . .but you get my point. I met one of your commenters Kimberly. . .great gal.
I went to the LDS storymakers conference knowing NO ONE but knew I just HAD to go. I needed some motivation to write.
Enough about me. This is YOUR blog. I don't think I have blatantly copied anyone's material that has been on their blog. I am ME when I write. If you like me, great if you don't I'll just find another friend. :)
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