I’m in the middle of grading right now but I am fuming so I needed to write.
Per my Twitter updates, I have been alerted to the fact that Miss Musing‘s blog and Twitter account have been shut down because she has been plagiarizing. This irks me more than you know. For more information about visit Velveteen Mind and for a more personal twist visit Turquoise Ribbons.
What is blog plagiarism anyways? Don’t we re-post stuff all the time? Yes, we do but we also add links to the original author. I feel like I’m back in elementary school here. If the words are not yours either don’t write them or give the original author credit.
I guess being a graduate student who is very interested in research, this bugs me to the core. So much work goes into everything we write. Even as I sit here now, I am avoiding school work, I am editing, and I am racking my brain to think of a clever or witty sentence. Writing isn’t easy and we all have our good and bad days. This doesn’t mean that on bad days you need to steal other peoples content.
That is the beauty of blogging right? The ability to utterly and completely be yourself. On your own terms in your on internet space.
I challenge every blogger out there to be themselves.
One of my favorite quotes is: “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”
Miss Musing (if you read my blog), you are in my thoughts and my heart goes out to whatever troubles you are going through. I really hope you seek help.
On another note: How do we protect our blogs from plagiarism? I looked around and found these resources (I haven’t yet implemented them on this blog, but I will be soon – especially after this incident):
- Creative Commons: Gives you a free license to copyright your work
- How to Defend your Blogs Copyright (from Problogger)
- Copyright Law: 12 Dos and Don’ts
P.S. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!
xoxo,
Julie
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Seriously, is there anything lower? At least if you’re going to steal something, make some money off of it! What’s the point of receiving comments and followers if it’s all based on a fake person? So, so sad.
LiLu’s last blog post..Old People are Awesome. No, Really.
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This girl has to be some sort of lost soul. I almost feel bad for her in a way–her life must be very empty.
Lemmonex’s last blog post..Cinnabombed
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I just don’t know why people would do such a thing. Sure, I read plenty of blogs and think “wow, she’s so eloquent,” but I’d never think that I should take her story and make it mine! It just makes no sense. I’d like to think that my life is interesting enough where I have really great stories to share (sure, not every day
) Really though, it makes me sad. Like you, I am also a grad student, and I am always so, so aware of crediting my source…in my thesis or my blog!
Lexi’s last blog post..on why I hate the metro, reasons no. 673,027
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This is seriously the weirdest thing. Perhaps I am naive in not realizing that blog plagiarism exists…wow. Unbelievable.
Mrs. Smith’s last blog post..I forgot to tell you…
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Yeah, it’s so bizarre and makes me so angry. I believe she would do that. I feel really bad for her at the same time. How pathetic must her life be that she has to steal ideas from someone else?
AshleyD’s last blog post..A fake friend
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Oops, I meant to say “I can’t believe she would do that”!
AshleyD’s last blog post..A fake friend
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I just heard about this too, I only read her blog a couple times, but its really sad because we all come here with a comforting sense that we can say whatever we want and be ourselves without being judged, and be here for one another at the same time. Everyone has a story to tell even if our life isn’t super interesting, so why not tell it? It’s no fun to read about a fake person!
SLG’s last blog post..I’m too lazy to think of a good title.
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Yeah, what I find so weird about it is that blogging gives me the opportunity to me MORE honest than I fee comfortable being in real life. I don’t feel like I have a reason to lie, and so I don’t understand stealing other people’s writing, especially when it’s not for monetary gain. And the girl, whoever she was, can clearly write, since she left long and thoughtful comments on all of our blogs.
I didn’t notice before that you’re using Thesis! Isn’t it wonderful?
Ashley’s last blog post..WE STUMBLE THROUGH
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I cannot believe that things like this actually happen. Crazy stuff! I hope that Miss Musing is able to find her way.
Jules’s last blog post..Weekend recap
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I wonder if Miss Musing is gone or just to be renamed later. Anyway, this is ridiculous. It kind of reminds me of the girl in high school who is always copying someone to try to be part of the “in-crowd”. . . I have seen disclaimers at the bottom of blogs about not using their material. But I can’t remember whose blog! I’ll try to find it and forward it to you. xoxo
Preppy 101’s last blog post..The Merry Martini
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Never realized blog plagerism acutally exsisted… very interesting!
Marci’s last blog post..It’s All About The Threesome
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I completely agree with everyone here… especially about being open and honest. I too feel that I can be MORE honest on my blog than any other place.
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I was in such shock when I read that on twitter especially since I read her blog regularly.
Good luck with your last couple of months of school!
bFlat’s last blog post..The Big 2-3
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SOOOOO Crazy!
Thanks for bringing attention to this. I don’t know what I would do if I found someone was stealing my posts.
Chic Runner’s last blog post..Hawaii pt. 1
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That’s too bad. I’m constantly reposting from other bloggers. I have a label for it and always link back. I recently set up my Shared Items on Google reader, because there are so many great posts out there that are worth sharing! I think when I first started blogging I found something on someone else’s blog, but forgot whose. I did at least mention that it wasn’t mine.
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that is so unfortunate! it just doesn’t make sense why someone would go through all the trouble to do that. i hate that she has a name similar to my blog, because i’ve gotten some random emails asking if i am really miss musing! so crazy!!! i’m glad the blog has been taken down, and hopefully she won’t be at it again under another alias.
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I looked at all this stuff last night when you posted the Twitter about it and could not believe the ridiculousness! What in the hell is wrong with people? Have they not seen Single White Female? It’s quite a similar, creepy situation. Bizarre-o.
piper jacquelyn’s last blog post..{Party Time}
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Remarkable. This is clearly not a well person.
Makes me so grateful for the kind, sane readers I do have!
Legallyblondemel’s last blog post..We Need a Word for This
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What! I had NO IDEA that this kinda stuff happened! I mean, I should have known but seriously! Wow. I didn’t ever think of that. Ridiculous.
Laura’s last blog post..She’s not even here…
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I think the most ridiculous part of that is how she had 500+ subscribers, all subscribing to something she didn’t write. Think she’ll start a new blog under a new name? Scary that none of us would ever know.
Playful Professional’s last blog post..The Countdown Begins
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Oh no, I’m sure that is upsetting on so many levels for so many. I’m semi-new to the world of blogging, but know what a great and honest community is created here. I hope it doesn’t discourage you and anyone else from continuing in your efforts, you do so well! I’m trying to switch over in blogger so I can read your posts daily, but make take a little figuring out but thank you for updating me on your switch, it looks great!
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WHAT?! I’m so confused by this. I mean here I am thinking that she’s just an incredibly talented writer with an amazing life. And you tell me its all made up?!
This is especially weird because just a couple months ago she had said that someone was plagiarizing her. What a weird story…. gosh…..
Ally’s last blog post..When it rains, it pours
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oh my gosh I was totally wondering what happen to her! Thats crazy! I feel so hurt that she was just plagiarizing. I love reading about everyone elses adventures and how different but like all our lives are. So sad. I can’t believe it!
crystal’s last blog post..Happy Earth Day!
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