It Ain't Hemingway

One of my pet peeves is when fans who copy video’s then put them on their sites and call them their own get pissed if they find them on another blog or site. Clearly they are not getting the point. First off, it’s not yours unless you filmed it yourself. Don’t steal someone’s hard work than lay claim to it. I can guarantee you didn’t contact the filmmaker of photographer that actually did the work and ask if you could use it. I can also guarantee there is probably 10 more just like it that other people copied.  The same goes for screen shots and what not. Do you take the pic yourself? fine, I’ll give you credit. If you don’t like that it’s even out in the interweb then don’t post it.

If someone does take a screen cap I’ll give them credit and if I forget then you should remind me and I’ll post it. Personally I have no problem with people using my stuff. Quotes and pics that I’ve created are all over the place and to tell you the truth I love it! I think it’s great, not for my ego but because it means 1. they enjoyed it, 2. they are helping to spread the word about a great musician and 3. what’s the point? Why do you need the validation for something you didn’t even create or get permission to change anyway? Do you think your superior copying skills will be honored and praised? Do you think maybe a band member will see it, take note of your name and then call you and say “your video copying skills are the best out their, let’s be besties”.

People who are that competitive and desperate for validation are really missing the point. Once again it’s about the music. It’s about spreading the word and sharing what you love. I for one consider myself a fan first. For me it’s about sharing with other fans and supporting one another, when it turns into arguments or accusations I’m not engaging in that noise. Same goes for the band, if they start talking smack especially about their fans then I’m gonna defend the fans. Because they are most likely my friends and I take my friendships seriously.

So next time you get pissed because someone didn’t mention your name when you posted a video or a picture of someone else’s hard work or created a gif that you didn’t have to pay for not to mention posting it for anyone to swipe; think about the blogs that are left with dead links when you take them down and about the bands that you love and if you’re really posting this stuff because you want to share their talent with others and watch them succeed and become the best or if it’s because you want attention.

just sayin’.

C-