Blog Post #6: Plagiarism and Remix

Blog post DUE Thursday 10/29 – 4:30 pm

After reading the Jonathan Lethem essay “The Ecstasy of Influence,” please write a 3-4 paragraph blog post that addresses ONE of the themes below. Please use details and examples to strengthen your response, and please engage directly with the essay.

1. One of the claims Lethem seems to make in this essay is that nothing is truly original. He uses several examples to back this up. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
2. Lethem talks about remix in this essay, and it is often said that we currently live in a “remix culture.” What is a remix culture? What do you think it means to be in a remix culture?
3. The form of this essay is very interesting because the structure and notes section are both part of Lethem’s larger argument. Does this form match his argument, and how? Is it important for writers to use structure as a way to make their point?
4. Technology plays an important role in Lethem’s argument. Do you think that technology is changing the way we think about copyright and plagiarism? Why/why not, and how?

I would also like everyone to comment on at least TWO other people’s blog posts before 4:30 pm on Friday 10/30. You must comment on others’ blogs to receive the full points for this post assignment.