This short film is just...wow.

http://blog.ninapaley.com/2010/02/09/all-creative-work-is-derivative/

Awestruck!

Honestly, about 1 second into it I thought "Really? This is wow?".... then I saw where it was headed... Wow!

Its a great piece of work - but I don't hold with the premise as it is presented there. Although I do probably agree with the overall theory that 'most' creative work is derivative, the examples used in the film don't really come close to making the case for 'All'.

They are simply representations of the human form, which is kind of universal. Sure, some are clearly influenced by others, but some are from cultures that had very little contact with each other. It would be just as easy to pull in a different selection of creative representations of the human form that would provide a case for the opposite.

... and that is the problem with basing your argument on the word 'all' ... the opposition only need to find one example of the opposite and you are sunk.  'Most' or 'A good deal of' ..sure..  but 'All' is crap IMO.

I facebooked it:)  Let them sort it out:)

4eyes, I'm right there with you... every culture is going to have statues of human-like figures... but the message was part of the entertainment, so I'll give it bonus points for that:) I like when people eat their own dog food.

4eyes - that's why my initial reaction was nonplussed. But then when the animation got rolling, the "message" went out of my mind and I started to think "where did she get all those pictures" and then when it turned into a wild Dionysian party, I thought "Whoa! Amazing animation."

I think there's a bit of intentional irony there - something that's "new and original" using some of the oldest and most fundamental art forms.

I believe your reaction was exactly what was intended. At least as I "read" it, the artist would be disappointed if you didn't have that thought.

I think she was trying to make the opposite point - from checking a few of her other videos

She is a major campaigner against 'copyright' as a concept, which I totally agree with - I just think that using 'All' in that video leaves her argument weaker.

Good video though - and worth checking out her other stuff, if only to listen to the 'copyright song'.

Ahh... Interesting.

That also gives "derivative" a very specific spin.

That's a large part of what attracts me to the open source movement and why I use free software as much as possible.

BTW anybody ever watch the BBC documentaries Connections by James Burke?  It shows how every great leap in human technology is built on previous work and much of it is derived by mistake.

>>Connections by James Burke

Brilliant series, I'd love to see it again. A friend of mine met Burke many years ago and said he was a very nice guy.