Before I get started, I'm not naming names here. Nor is this me sat astride my high horse.
This is, however, a very important subject. One that those who engage in the world of social media and blogging should take note of.
It's fair to say that in recent times Twitter has become ever more crowded with 'tipsters' and bloggers, all sticking their two pence worth in, be it Cheltenham or Aintree, Newmarket or Ascot.
The huge influx of paid services during the runs up to Cheltenham, that vanish just as quick is mind-blowing.
The Affiliate links and the mental "get 100000/1 on any horse in the race" 'Promotions' (I still can't get my head around how these pass the standards authorities).
These things simply wash over me and I've gotten used to ignoring them, although sometimes it's easier said than done.
But the one thing I simply cannot ignore is those who believe its ok to steal. Yes, theft.
Or Plagiarism, to give it its proper name.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgment. All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this definition. Plagiarism may be intentional or reckless, or unintentional. Under the regulations for examinations, intentional or reckless plagiarism is a disciplinary offense.
Strong stuff I hear you say and yeah, it is. Those who take the time to sit down and type, write or impart their ideas to a site or a blog, or even a Tweet, deserve at the very least acknowledgment.
All too often this is ignored, be it intentionally or not. I've written several articles for this magazine and whether they're any good or not is not the point. It's all original (apart from the Matrix quote) it's all my own work.
So why do people think its ok to simply copy and paste and claim it as their own? Why do people lift photos from Twitter and use them to gain followers?
I guess you'd have to ask them for the real answer, but I suggest that most do it because it's easy. Why waste time plowing your own furrow when you can use another's.. But where's the satisfaction in that? I'll not lie, I quite enjoy writing.
I don't do it to gain followers or because I want people to shower me with praise. Truth is, I rarely get any feedback.
It's one thing I learned very quickly when I started our blog. As long as you're not getting pelters then you're doing ok as far as I can work out, and that's ok with me. Maybe that's the difference?
with almost no interaction with those who take the time to read your content. Is that what people want? I'm not so sure.
I'm well aware that horse racing blogs are ten a penny these days and way too many people see it as a way of making money.
For me, it's a hobby and I treat it as such. That's not to say I don't take it seriously because I do. I like to think that the content we put out is at the very least worth reading and I wouldn't post it otherwise.
I'm not saying it's easy to constantly come up with original content because it isn't, but that doesn't mean its ok to STEAL someone else's work. If you're reading this and some of what I've just touched on is how you operate or you copy others work and pass it off, then maybe take a second to think about it.
Rather than concentrating on how you can gain another 200 followers or make a few quid more. Try thinking about what your followers/readers really want. The best way to get noticed is putting out a decent product.
• Not someone else's product with your name on it...
• Not a copy of someone else's idea.
• Not 100 tweets a day pumping your blog or site.
As I said, whether you read, enjoy or hate what I write, there's one thing you can be sure of..........
I wrote it.
 by @HackedUpRacing){kind=link}
0 Comments