Yesterday, I received a number of emails about an article that appeared in a national newspaper, which bore a striking resemblance to something I had written.
In this business, there are certain words you don’t use lightly, even if you’re quite sure they apply to a given situation. I’m not going to use any of those words – or one word in particular – which used to be a career ender in journalism, except at those handful of publications that lack professional standards or simply don’t care about them.
Most people who know what I’m talking about will be aware that I don’t regard the individual in question as having standards in the first place, so nothing about this episode has surprised me in the least. Someone who has never had an original thought in his life blatantly appropriating someone else’s original work and passing it off as his own is hardly new among the lazy incompetents who make up the Scottish sporting press.
I’m not the only blogger this has happened to, and it will almost certainly happen again.
But for a so-called industry professional to do this so blatantly should embarrass that person – and ought to embarrass the people at the title where he works. I’m certain more than one person there reads the content on this site, so they must have recognised what he did here, just as quickly as all the people who emailed me about it.
Since he liked the last piece so much, here’s another for him: The 12 Stages of Copying Someone Else’s Work.
1. Admit it’s tempting: Realise that copying is easier than creating something from scratch.
Try not to think that getting caught will make you look like a halfwit.
2. Minimise the guilt: Tell yourself it’s just a small shortcut and nobody will notice.
Then cross your fingers and hope they don’t. Too late.
3. Blame the system: Convince yourself that everyone does it and it’s just part of the game.
Except not everyone does. Some of us work hard.
4. Rationalise your actions: Think of excuses like “It’s just for reference” or “It’s not like anyone will know.”
Except everyone does – I’ve had two dozen emails about it since yesterday.
5. Dodge accountability: Avoid acknowledging that using someone else’s work without credit is wrong.
Not that this ever bothered the hacks who have done it to me or other bloggers in the past.
6. Diversify your excuses: Come up with creative justifications for why it’s okay to borrow without asking.
Tell yourself that obscure inspiration often strikes more than one person at a time, that perhaps inspiration is like an airborne virus. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
7. Shift the focus: Point fingers at others or blame the high-pressure environment for your lapse in ethics.
Except when you only have one article to write a week, that comes across as lame and pathetic. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
8. Deflect criticism: If someone calls you out, argue that they’re overreacting or being too harsh.
Or better yet, ignore them. Which is what you’ll do, because you’re primarily a coward.
9. Play the victim: Claim that you’re being unfairly targeted or misunderstood.
Or that I imagined it. Maybe I did. But if I did, then all the people who emailed me about it imagined it too.
10. Repeat the behaviour: Continue repurposing other people’s work, believing you’ll get away with it or that the consequences aren’t severe.
In short, why break the habit of a lifetime?
11. Avoid learning: Ignore the feedback or repercussions, and don’t take steps to change your ways.
It’s too late for that anyway. Behavioural change doesn’t come at your age.
12. Repeat the cycle: Move on to the next piece of work, and keep the cycle going.
After all, this wasn’t the first time, so there’s no reason to expect it’ll be the last.
I figured I wasn’t the only one who noticed this. He should be fired at least over it.
It was so blatantly obvious. The only thing he missed was your reference to the alternative theory of seven stages of grief. I doubt he will be going through any of the stages of grief though, because he has no regrets and no shame. Which is on a par with his morals.
I was wondering if you would even bother to write about auld Shug’s purely coincidental ‘stages of grief’ article.
One question,James: either you read Shug’s mind,or someone hacked his computer and passed on his ‘Definitely my own original thoughts and analogies’ file to you for free and absolutely anonymously.
Which one was it ? We won’t hold it against you..promise.
I heard from a good source close to Ibrox Dave King will be jetting in soon.
Also heard there will be a January bid in for Shankland from the rangers and to be paid in 5 installments.
I heard rangers, once the refurbed stand was in place was gonna look for a company to purchase a lease on the stand name. Only name in so far is for a waste clearance company ‘Lord of the Bins’, has a certain ring to it.
Amazing what you hear in the chippies at Ibrox.
Apt JimBhoy that you heard it in the chippy’s as the desperados would’ve read it in the chip wrappers…
Actually chip wrappers is too kind a description for The Scummy Scottish Football Media –
I wouldn’t even insult moping up the pools of seasick on the ferry’s on days like today with Pathological Lies !!!
PLAGIARISM! People have been JAILED for less.
Point 1 – Who is the thief of James’ magnificent journalism – There as sure as night follows day plenty imbeciles in The Scummy Scottish Football Media to pick from for sure…
Point 2 – Who is the incoherent rambling half-wit doing the Clyde Superscoreboard tonight – Jeez not from Glasgow but he’s Sevco to the core – saying it was only one Sevco fan at Liebrox last week – Jeez I’ve had to switch off after not even five minutes…
Point 3 – Please, Please, Please come back and come back soon that Motherwell fan – He is a million times more professional than that utter nutcase they’ve let loose with a microphone tonight whoever the bloody hell he is !
Hahaha, you must be a bit pissed off but it’s funny and not very surprising. Your work is funny, honest, and well written which is in stark contrast to the pish I used to read in legacy media. It’s a big step up for the some of them even if it is theft
Auld shug can add plagiarism to his litany of crimes against us now James.
I noticed his article but forgot to mention it to you. Apologies
Seen it myself
Was a wee bit surprised when I read it lol but I probably shouldn’t have been
Immediately thought to myself Auld Shugs been reading the Celtic blog and now he’s using other people’s ideas ,
Auld fanny,
That auld fart stole your thunder mate he’s jist a auld man reakin a piss i think we should pity him or jist laugh at him hail hail ?
Ah right – it’s Keevins that’s the thief then…
Ain’t no thief like an old thief me thinks !