TO PLAGIARIZE: Ethics and Morals in Writing
Though not illegal, I was always taught that plagiarizing was cheating.
I read about the plagiarsm allegations against True Detective scribe Nic Pizzolatto in reference to 'borrowing' or 'lifting' ideas, phrases, and exact passages from Thomas Ligotti's The Conspiracy Against The Human Race, and I have to say, it does raise some red flags.
http://lovecraftzine.com/2014/08/04/...ti-and-others/
In the Scriptnotes podcast today John (tauting a sexy German accent- at least I think it was German) and Craig discussed the article (interview of John Padgett) was posted on the lovecraftzine.com website offering the argument that Pizzlatto did, in fact, use Ligotti's work and did not attribute appropriate credit.
I also liked Craig's suggestion that if he'd had Ligotti's book on Cohle's bookshelf that that in itself could have been a solution. And it would make sense, but when I watched the video of Cohle's interview, it definitely comes across as HIS OWN opinion and not one that was read about in a book that he just agrees with. It's presented as his own conclusion about the human race and our place in the universe.
It's a fine line in some cases, but it does appear that in a few cases, some kind of credit is owed to Ligotti, imo. After watching the video scenes of Cohle, it's almost as if he channels the spirit of Ligotti himself. I'm not saying that the allegations are true or not, only that based on what I've read, it appears something may be amiss.
A few things I wonder:
Craig had suggested that a possible solution to the situation might have been to option/acquire (not quoting him directly here) to the work in question.
I wonder, if these allegations had been posted prior to True Detectives being filmed, would HBO have gone forward without at least securing the rights to use Ligotti's TCATHR? Would they have negotiated a percentage for Ligotti, or would they reject the prospect altogether? I think maybe the latter is as possible as any.
And I wonder if McConaughey would have accepted the part? He said, ""I read the first two episodes, and I said, 'I'm in.'- The allegation is that these first two episodes have a lot of 'borrowed' Ligotti works.
Additionally, he's up for an Emmy for outstanding writing, and it appears, to me, that his work is heavily influenced by Ligotti's work, and if so, does Ligotti deserve some credit? I think at some point Pizzolatto even offered credit to another writer with respect to The Yellow King.
The statement released by Pizzolatto, as Craig commented, does feel written by a lawyer in a (to me) defensive posture.
The article proposes an interesting argument:
Something to consider.
I don't know if it's true, but the claim that Pizzolatto seems to have neglected to mention that his writing was influenced by Ligotti, when he did mention other author's philosophical ideas, seems a bit off. I understand that there are common ideas in our culture, but Ligotti's style and tone are quite specific, imo. His voice is present, it seems in Cohle's character.
I guess the big question is not whether he used Ligotti's work, because it's clear his writing is influenced by Ligotti's, but rather did he do it and deliberately try to pass it off as his own? I don't think anyone has the answer to that question. Maybe it's something that can't be known, but this is an interesting situation-
What do you think about using, borrowing, lifting, or outright stealing another writer's work and not providing appropriate credit?
What is acceptable? Where and when is the line crossed?
Looking forward to your comments.
Best,
Lisa
PS. I am in no way accusing Pizzilatto of any wrong doing. I am simply commenting on information in articles alleging plagiarism.
pla·gia·rize
ˈplājəˌrīz/Submit
verb
take (the work or an idea of someone else) and pass it off as one's own.
synonyms: copy, infringe the copyright of, pirate, steal, poach, appropriate; More
copy from (someone) and pass it off as one's own.
ˈplājəˌrīz/Submit
verb
take (the work or an idea of someone else) and pass it off as one's own.
synonyms: copy, infringe the copyright of, pirate, steal, poach, appropriate; More
copy from (someone) and pass it off as one's own.
I read about the plagiarsm allegations against True Detective scribe Nic Pizzolatto in reference to 'borrowing' or 'lifting' ideas, phrases, and exact passages from Thomas Ligotti's The Conspiracy Against The Human Race, and I have to say, it does raise some red flags.
http://lovecraftzine.com/2014/08/04/...ti-and-others/
In the Scriptnotes podcast today John (tauting a sexy German accent- at least I think it was German) and Craig discussed the article (interview of John Padgett) was posted on the lovecraftzine.com website offering the argument that Pizzlatto did, in fact, use Ligotti's work and did not attribute appropriate credit.
I also liked Craig's suggestion that if he'd had Ligotti's book on Cohle's bookshelf that that in itself could have been a solution. And it would make sense, but when I watched the video of Cohle's interview, it definitely comes across as HIS OWN opinion and not one that was read about in a book that he just agrees with. It's presented as his own conclusion about the human race and our place in the universe.
It's a fine line in some cases, but it does appear that in a few cases, some kind of credit is owed to Ligotti, imo. After watching the video scenes of Cohle, it's almost as if he channels the spirit of Ligotti himself. I'm not saying that the allegations are true or not, only that based on what I've read, it appears something may be amiss.
A few things I wonder:
Craig had suggested that a possible solution to the situation might have been to option/acquire (not quoting him directly here) to the work in question.
I wonder, if these allegations had been posted prior to True Detectives being filmed, would HBO have gone forward without at least securing the rights to use Ligotti's TCATHR? Would they have negotiated a percentage for Ligotti, or would they reject the prospect altogether? I think maybe the latter is as possible as any.
And I wonder if McConaughey would have accepted the part? He said, ""I read the first two episodes, and I said, 'I'm in.'- The allegation is that these first two episodes have a lot of 'borrowed' Ligotti works.
Additionally, he's up for an Emmy for outstanding writing, and it appears, to me, that his work is heavily influenced by Ligotti's work, and if so, does Ligotti deserve some credit? I think at some point Pizzolatto even offered credit to another writer with respect to The Yellow King.
The statement released by Pizzolatto, as Craig commented, does feel written by a lawyer in a (to me) defensive posture.
The article proposes an interesting argument:
"If Pizzolatto was blatantly lifting Stephen King's words instead of Thomas Ligotti's, do you think that Pizzolatto's justification for plagiarism would be credibly and objectively accepted in any way... by anyone?-
I don't know if it's true, but the claim that Pizzolatto seems to have neglected to mention that his writing was influenced by Ligotti, when he did mention other author's philosophical ideas, seems a bit off. I understand that there are common ideas in our culture, but Ligotti's style and tone are quite specific, imo. His voice is present, it seems in Cohle's character.
I guess the big question is not whether he used Ligotti's work, because it's clear his writing is influenced by Ligotti's, but rather did he do it and deliberately try to pass it off as his own? I don't think anyone has the answer to that question. Maybe it's something that can't be known, but this is an interesting situation-
What do you think about using, borrowing, lifting, or outright stealing another writer's work and not providing appropriate credit?
What is acceptable? Where and when is the line crossed?
Looking forward to your comments.
Best,
Lisa
PS. I am in no way accusing Pizzilatto of any wrong doing. I am simply commenting on information in articles alleging plagiarism.
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