Are you worried that someone will copy your discussions as their own?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
June 5, 2008 12:54pm CST
I've noticed how many posts on MyLot are looking eerily similar lately. And, while some might blame it on copying, I don't. Sometimes a new member will copy another members posts as their own. But, sometimes I think it's just an accident. After all, many of us on MyLot are going through the same daily problems.
It wouldn't be the first time I've logged into MyLot and posted something, only to find that another person has posted a very similar discussion, the same day. It's not a case of copying. I think it's more about going through the same problems and wanting to express them in a public forum.
We all get onto MyLot and then start thinking about the same things. It's like our brains or hearts are plugged into the same computer. And, you end up writing about the things other people on MyLot are writing about, even if you've never seen their post. Or, you find yourself experiencing the same problems, that others are going through.
I've seen times when I'd be going through a problem in my own home and then not say anything about it on MyLot and another MyLot member will show up at one of my discusisons and talk about how she was going through the exact same thing.
Sometimes, I just say, "Its a small world!" And, that's what I mean. Isn't it funny how we are all the same in our daily lives. We have the same worries and stresses with jobs, kids, college, family, in-laws. Noone is exempt from these things. But, when you get on MyLot you find others going throug the exact same thing.
What do you think? Have you seen that too? Have you ever seen times when another member will post a very similar discussion as yours? Do you think they are simply copying your discussion? Or, do you think it's just that they're going through a similar experience in their own lives and have never seen your discussion before posting?
6 people like this
11 responses
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
5 Jun 08
I think it is time MYLOT do a check and when there are duplication then one is delete. There are alot of duplication. I remember writing a post and there was no response, couple days later someone write the same topic and got alot of response and then I saw that it was the same exact word for word. One day I wrote and I didn't check like what I used to do and then I saw where a post was enter earlier with similar topic. What I do before posting is search in my interests and see if there are any topic familiar. If there is one I just forget about posting and start to responds.
2 people like this
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
5 Jun 08
Yeah, I try to be careful not to post too similar of a topic close to the time when someone else does it. Sometimes it is unavoidable. If I'm going through a situation in my life, then it is OK for me to talk about it, since it's happened to me. Even if it's similar to the situation someone else is going through. And, my discussions always end up different than any others posted on the same day about the same topic.
When I first started, another member gave me some very valuable advice. He said, put your own unique twist on a discussion or situation. And, I've taken that to heart.
For instance, there are hundreds of baby related questions and discussions posted on MyLot daily. Not just one person is allowed to talk about baby care issues. When I post my baby care discussions, I like to include a personal anecdote from my own life or advice on the subject that is uniquely mine. That makes the discussion unique. Then, noone can rightfully say I've copied them. Because I haven't.
With so many people posting on here, as you mentioned there are bound to be duplications.
Of course, I don't approve of word-for-word copying. And, I'd never do that kind of thing. Mostly, cause I wouldn't want someone to do it to me.
I don't even like it when someone paraphrases another person's discussion. But, it's not something that bothers me too bad. I don't stay up late nights worrying about it. Best of luck with your future discussions.
2 people like this
@tdemex (3540)
• United States
5 Jun 08
I think copying does go on. However when your new like the first few days and your learning you ask questions that people may have done yesterday cause your not savy as to look at past discussions? I've been here for awhile now and am still learning here. The other day Mooch and I were watching CNN and new info came out, and I typed in a discussion and barely got it posted before Mooch and then he entered his and they were basicly the same, it was kinda funny but stuff like that can happen here, great minds think alike!!!! Thanks, this is my take on it ! tdemex
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
14 Jun 08
Yes, I've done that before. And, afterwards, I swear that I didn't copy the other person. But there post comes out about the same time as mine. Maybe because I type slower, their's would be posted first. But, it's a coincidence. I guess more than one person is bound to comment on a particular topic in a day's time. Like you said, the news item. Everyone has an opinion. I'm just happy we all have some place to post it.
@optimisticgrl23 (397)
• United States
5 Jun 08
I am not paranoid about it. I think that some people have figured about the questions that more people are willing to answer. With all of the possible topics and interests, there are tons of discussions to come up with however some people would rather rack up points than try to create stimulating conversation.
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
•
6 Jun 08
On such a large site with so many people I know that it would be foolish to think that people posting the same discussions is more than coincidence for the most part and it doesn't worry me! There have been very rare times when people have actually copied anothers post word for word but people who do that don't last very long here I am glad to say! xxx
1 person likes this
@asawanialvin0611 (1877)
• Philippines
6 Jun 08
I will be glad because it means someone liked my idea.I will also be happy if they improve the way i write
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
6 Jun 08
There are so many people here, and obviously some will have similar experiences. We know we have some of the same interests by the ones we choose. :-)
Seriously, except in the case where winterose is posting her copyrighted stories, I don't think most of us are posting masterpieces. Most post a question, and add a personal experience. But most are not so unique that someone else would not have similar events happening in his/her life.
And if it's about a news topic? Well, we all hear the nightly news. Or read the headlines online. So of course there might be a few people who post about a hot topic. I don't think it matters that much.
At a serious writer's site the other day, another moderator and I both posted articles about the Orphan Works Act they're trying to pass. (If you do any art work/photography or even post pictures online, you should read about this and tell your congressman you're against it.) We laughed about it and even provided links at the bottom of each of our articles to the other one.
I think there are more important things in life than worrying whether or not someone else posted a "when do your kids get out of school and do you have any great plans for them this summer?" questions.
think it make that much difference if two (or even three) people post the same type of topic. Most likely they'll get different people commenting.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
6 Jun 08
Hmmm. Not sure about that last part. Probably should have been: I don't think it makes that much difference... Guess I'm finally getting tired.
@naaadh (217)
• United States
6 Jun 08
Im not worried that someone might copy my topic or my discussion in order to get more responses, and their fore get more money. Because if someone does that then he is in trouble, and when myLot goes through the discussions, they wont be paid, if their topic has been copied. I wont lose anything. And if i catch anyone who is trying to copy my discussions, i will simply report to myLot management and get them banned.
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
6 Jun 08
I am not afraid of it. In fact in the past I had a discussion about my child went to the kindergarten. Someone copied my discussion and I found it later. I didn't mind it very much anyway. I just look down upon to this kind of behavior.
I love China
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
6 Jun 08
Maybe, but I think that people have a hard time coming up with things to talk about. It is difficult to come up with things sometimes. Sometimes some subjects are just things that everyone thinks about.
@twallace (2675)
• United States
5 Jun 08
I didn't look at it that way; I just thought that some of the discussions were similar but not the way that you have explained it. I will start looking closer to see if that is what is happening.
@bfarrier1 (2082)
• United States
6 Jun 08
yes I do think there is similar post but they dont read exactly the same, so as you said maybe people just have similar problems most the time I wait until after I respond before reading anyone elses so I dont respond the same way to only go back and read a similar response.Have a great evening.
@ycpgoldberg (807)
• Malaysia
5 Jun 08
I don't scare that someone will copy my discussion and posted here as their own,
cause MyLot have time record for each discussion,
just report abuse should do.
But I juts scare that someone will copy my post in MyLot,
and posted it somewhere in their site or blog,
just as it happen to my blog before.
But as long as they have an address state that the article were copy from mine,
that should be ok (but at least should inform me).
