I found an interesting discussion on plagiarism this week over at LifeHack.  While the author's post took the stance that plagiarism equals laziness and theft, and reveals a distinct lack of depth of character, I was surprised to see several comments from readers who defended a copy-and-paste habit as a legitimate technique for writing.  Worryingly, this is just another example of how a lack of understanding about resources on theinternet is opening the flood gates for poor writing and regurgitation of misinformation.

There were many arguments trying to justify plagiarism in the discussion which followed the post, from a complaint that "it is practically impossible to be unique", (presumably meaning that it is pointless therefor to even bother trying?) to people who claimed that mashing together pieces of writing from various sources is a skill in itself.  

Being the opinionated person I am, I was quick to dive in and offer my own two cents.  Writing combines both art and skill, with a healthy dose of hard work.  Is it hard to come up with an original idea?  Sure, but that is what inspiration and creativity are for.  Is it tough to work that raw idea into an interesting and organized piece?  You bet,  but if you can't do that then you don't deserve either the grade or the paycheck offered as a reward.  Does it take more work to do thorough research and filter it into your writing?  Of course, but if you are going to start avoiding that kind of effort then you are never going to make it as a writer. 

Writing is supposed to be hard work.  It is the nature of the beast.

While many of the comments in the discussion at the end of the Life Hack post were from members of the academic community (both students and teachers chimed in on the debate), I have witnessed the same attitude in the professional writing world.  I knew one journalist who often used internet articles for her weekly newspaper column,  saying that she couldn't possibly make a decent living if she were to write every single word which she got published!  Shocking, perhaps, but she's not alone. 

The pressures of meeting deadlines, expectations and financial commitments have tempted many writers to stray.  But each time someone succumbs they are not only committing theft, but diluting both the value and integrity of the profession.  Any freelance writer will tell you howpayscales have dived since 'rewriting' became popular.  With some writers charging just 50 cents to re-write someone else's 500 words it can be frustrating to explain to clients why they should pay upwards of $25 for an original piece of work.

Similarly, the explosion of global mass syndication of articles through the internet has led newspapers to cut freelance pay rates, as they can fill a percentage of their paper both on and offline from central sources. 

The Associated Press may be on the war path to crack down on unauthorized plagiarized content, but it may be the public perception of the very nature of the value of the written word that needs to be challenged.

The post itself is well worth reading, and the lessons offered hold true not just for writing, but for all aspects of life.