Just wanted to start this off by saying my own thoughts on the matter will be more clearly defined toward the end of this long essay x3 and that the middle is largely just intended to outline my thought process as well as try and get you all that read this to think about it along these perspectives as well, not necessarily agree, but at least see these perspectives as existing.

SO hello to all! 'Happy' New year! definitely started this all off with a bang haven't we? xD I come onto this platform today to just air out some thought's I had after a relatively recent discussion with a fellow commissioner on one of their more recent journals, about art theft/unauthorized use of art and how it had really taken the wind out of their sails when it came to creating and trying to create.

Now, going to get into this more at the end but wanted to say here to, I am in no way condoning this sort of behavior, or trying to encourage it in anyway. If one's brain is so unbelievably tiny that one can't do anything on this earth but directly rip other peoples stuff and use it like they made it themselves, then I weep for their hollow and meaningless existence.

BUT, that being said, the discussion in the comments of the journal, did bring up an ultra rare instance of meaningful discussion, and I wanted to bring up the thoughts that where discussed here, as well as my own further thoughts on the matter.

What is the reason, that drives an individual toward creation? And should that reason soly be, the complete and utter control, of a 'unique' idea? I mean, that can be a good start, and can lead one to embark on creative process that the world has never seen, but should one then afterword hold that idea like a prize above others, and systematically bash any and all 'imitations' that others might try do? Should one require that all uses of the idea they publicize go through them inherently, and only them, without letting anyone have even a single bit of creative freedom of their own if they want to engage with said idea?

I pose these questions mostly to get one to think, as we, or at least I, did in the comment section of that journal. Creativity is an interesting thing to me, while copyrights do exist for creative works, it is much more difficult for an individual, especially with the age of the internet, to hold on to a strict sort of control of one's own creative ideas in a public sphere, compared to say, that of a patent. The internet itself has made the sharing and resharing of idea's infinitely easier than it ever has before, but also made the tracking and sourcing of that information infinitely more difficult. In my experience, the copyrighting of created works often leads to just being the 'originator' of that idea, which in my opinion, should be what those that wish to create original ideas should strive for. Becoming the sole monarch of an idea and saying 'though shalt not ever create anything like my own unless I strictly decree it' I feel has priorities misplaced, at least when it comes to creative ventures. I feel creativity has a rare showing in the world at the moment at least, where people that create get to learn from and utilize others own sparks at such a rate, that there's always something new and interesting to find thanks to it, be it based on something you love, or be it entirely new to fall in love with.

Now, again, this isn't to say one shouldn't bash on those that just take and don't innovate, copy paste is just as prevalent in this day and age and stomping out the morons that think that's an ok way to operate is important, but, should the fact that they exist utterly destroy ones creative drive? Is the fact that people out there like your stuff enough to want to interact with it outside of you directly that much of a turn off? I mean, it can be, sure, but that is why I pose the questions. I personally love the process of creation, I enjoy delving into my own worlds and letting them flow in my head, along with jumping into different 'skins' in the way of my characters to view different angles and view points. The act of creation, and collaboration with artists on that front, is what brings the enjoyment for me, and while I hate the idea of someone just taking an image I have without proper sourcing and using it to their own ends, I'd rather tell them that they can with proper sourcing, and encourage their own journey of creation, than bash them over the head and say that 'no only MY creativity is correct! you can't have none!'.

Now, again, I want to stress the importance of proper sourcing, even just a link to the artist that created it important. Give back to the creator that inspired you enough to want to do something, this should be a circle, not just a line. Taking and using without sourcing is just the same as stealing, plan and simple. But if people do want to engage with your creative ventures, if you've inspired them to want to craft something of their own and use it their way, why not let them?

Now, I know in this particular community that can be a rather hard topic or point of view to push. Many have 'their' sona's, the characters they have that represent them, and having a bunch of copy cats pop up can feel like a big slap in the face when it comes to 'originality', while also just feeling a lot more like a personal attack since its 'them' they are imitating. Everyone likes to feel special, but if being special is all that is important to you, I then would pose the possibly harsh sounding question, of why did you share it? Well, I mean likely the reason is 'to feel special amongst a crowd!' but then again, I question where your priorities lie. In the event of sharing one's ideas, its sparks others that see it and like it to want to enjoy those ideas too. Some, want to enjoy what you have further created, but some, have just found their own spark, and want to craft their own identity off of what you have just shown them. Sure, some just want to do it for the notoriety, but those ones are almost always fleeting and never usually amount to much. But the ones that want to fully create something of their own, I feel shouldn't be silenced just because they happen to REALLy enjoy what one made to the point of wanting to emulate it.

What came into my mind recently, and what spurred me to the point of creating this journal, was the thought of 'fan created' things for popular ip's, and viewing all this through that lens. If you really think about it, anyone that directly crafts a narrative, or an image. that fully 'rips' the ideas of a popular franchise such as MLP or Star Fox, is in effect, doing in some parts, what has been detailed above. They are taking a property that isn't theirs, without the creators consent, and especially on this platform, without their intended purpose in mind, and making something based off of it anyway. This can be as 'harmless' as a fan drawing, or as 'egregious' as making their own character or even world based off of it. And to those that want to hold single dominion over their respective idea's, I ask you, your feelings on what I just said here? If you view this as also being something terrible and disheartening, then I REALLLy question your priorities in the creative sphere, cause it sounds like engineering or architecture or something with a proper patent system is MUCh more your type of thing.

But to those that think the above things alright, I ask, what makes it different then when it's happening to your stuff? Well, that's easy, its your stuff right? well then why is it ok for other peoples stuff? Why is the fact that a bit of your world is patterned off of X inspiration ok, but the fact someone wants to make a character based off of yours not? What about it being more 'personal' suddenly makes the process a negative thing?

I pose these questions to you, for I personally, have no answers, outside of a sense of 'ownership' that one feels like they are losing if people start emulating them. But, to that I say, the characters are still yours right? same with the world, and the ideas? What you want to do with them haven't been effected in the slightest by someone else's world popping up right? YOUR characters are still your own, and what you do with them is still unique to what you desire, even if someone else happens to enjoy and desire the same thing. If anything, that should spark more of a kinship, someone out there enjoys what you are doing enough to want to 'do it just like you!'. Now, is it annoying and frustrating that they didn't just come to you to interact with you directly? Yes, it can be, but it's a lot harder to talk with someone you admire about how much you enjoy them when, especially in this day and age, people are pulled thin enough as it is, let alone having a meaningful enough interaction with a stranger to impart interaction with an idea to them. And especially if the aura you give off is 'NO ONE BUT ME CAN HAVE THIS' then people even more so won't want to interact with you, and instead do everything they can to enjoy your idea elsewhere in a more open environment. Creativity is bread through openness and a desire to create for the sake of it, and if one doesn't enjoy the process of creating but only the process of lording that creation over others, then once again, I ask that one re-evaluates their priorities.

Now, to say yet one more thing tacked onto the end of that, I know when it comes to ones own characters, the personal attachment can also bring one to arms against those that would dare use them in a way that isn't intended, and to that, I understand. To circle allll the way back to points I made toward the beginning, the fact that people are so uncreative/unoriginal, or heck even entitled enough, to just take other peoples hard payed for/worked on art and characters, and just use them to their own ends, often because 'hah they hawt I wanna f%$& em but og creator wont like that but imma do it anyway,' absolutely sucks, and feels like shit. But, again, I gesture to the point I just made on fan made stuff, and point out the HEAVY amount of sexual content being crafted in that exact same way, heck even dedicated accounts with just screen capped icons of various characters entirely dedicated to that sort of thing. Entire enterprises can't keep a lid on horny, unoriginal dickweebs when it comes to their own ip's, and when it comes to fan creations with that sole purpose in mind there isn't really a way to stop them either. So while unless one crafts the next big block buster show one will never have to worry about THAT level of insanity, I feel it's an important perspective to have that literally everyone has to deal with this. If you want to have a public presence in this creative medium, the unfortunate reality is that while many people are awesome, a select few suck peen, and some a lotttt harder than others. Hell animators and creators at Disney are literally told straight up that the stuff they make is going to get misused, and that they have to be ok with that otherwise they aren't going to make it.

And as harsh as it is, it's not really that different, anywhere else. Solo creator or one of many in a studio, some people suck, and if the knowledge of that kills your creative drive, then I will admit that it is probably time to find a different hobby. One can police it all they like but the fact is that shitty copy pasters exist, and so long as free accounts on sites are a thing, they will continue to exist. So one I feel has to make a choice:

Create for fun and creations sake, and let the world be as it may <--- my current outlook, though by all means not the 'right' one.
Create for fun and creations sake, but also focus on stamping out the copycats you can, to the degree that still lets you enjoy the medium.
Create for the sake of originality of your creations, and become a bitter frustrated individual over the span of many years of stamping out any and all those that try to emulate, until eventually giving up in a heep.
Create for originality of your creations, and hoard all of them to yourself, so no one can ever create anything like them and you can feel special until your final days.

Those are the main four options I see before any aspiring creator, and to me, the first two are the ones I hope many decide/desire to be. For the fun and act of creating is often such a cathartic and enjoyable experience, and sharing it, even with the slight pains of doing so, I feel is more than worth it do to the enjoyment that comes from sharing one's passions.

I hope this long winded essay got the likely very few that read it to think, and if you have any further thoughts to add bellow, either in agreement or in disagreement, feel free to place them bellow.

And I'd once again like to firmly reiterate, this does not condone the strict copying and taking of others works without direct sourcing for use as if it where your own, nor will I ever be ok with that. Heck, I find the act of utilizing characters in 'unintended ways' from there initial creation often times off putting and gross, but, ya. If you steal works just because they are hot and use them without consent for your own fantasies, I despise you, and hope you figure out something useful with your life to pursue.