Is imitation the most sincere form of flattery?

[Hopeful Sinner]

Simple question really, and it's been on my mind as of late... Is imitation a sincere form of flattery or just a way to garner unearned attention? Or does is exist in a gray area? Very curious to hear everyone's thoughts...

 

[s.fitzsimmons]

More often than not it seems like imitation is done for personal gain... all the while the imitator is hoping you don't find out who they're imitating. I'd say it's the most insincere form of flattery.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I suppose it depends on the context of the imitation.

In the business world, "Imitation" will get you sued.

The design world deliberately takes inspiration from lots of places; even other designs - which is how we end up with specific styles, trends, etc.

In the music world we call it sampling - unless you're Vanilla Ice.

Regarding the TRC designs, I completely fell in love with the idea (your idea) of a crow - the main subject of my designs. It reminded me of the Raven guitar project that was originally going to have a Poe-themed paint job. Poe is buried in Baltimore so it was a natural fit my sense of who we are. Was that imitation or inspiration?

 

[captdg]

And of course there is a difference between imitation and mockery..Context is the key.

 

[Mikegarveyblues]

Simple question really, and it's been on my mind as of late... Is imitation a sincere form of flattery or just a way to garner unearned attention? Or does is exist in a gray area? Very curious to hear everyone's thoughts...

Does this have anything to do with the TRC designs?

Immitation... Inspiration...

I think inspiration is fair game, particularly in the context of the TRC which I personally viewed as a collaborative effort by members. I.e, it was / is fair game to take an element of the design and tweak it. The TRC should be a melting pot of ideas with the endgame being something most of us are happy with.

I don't think anyone has immitated a design that I can see. Inspired, certainly. Of course, this may not be what you're referring to.

If someone comes along and completely takes whole portions of something you've created and uses it in another manner (With the claim it's entirely their own work) without asking then that's a whole different matter.

 

[frankb56]

Imitation can be a sincere form of flattery, but more often than not, it's just a lazy way out of being creative.

 

[Albrecht Smuten]

Think imitation as a form of "fan-art". It all depends on the context and one´s attitude towards the original artist.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

In the music world we call it sampling - unless you're Vanilla Ice.

Did somebody call my name?

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

The event that sparked this thread was hearing a couple of lines from a friend of mines "old" song in another groups "new" song. Not saying two people can't have the same thought.. Not saying they can't possibly express the thought in the same way, but it's a pretty big coincidence if you think about it. I'll try to get together the lyrics of both and let you all chime in...

With regard to the TRC designs, in the case of Hans' Raven designs, it takes the crow element in my design to a whole new plateau.. And I absolutely love the vibe of his TRC concepts. And if my stuff served as inspiration for that I would absolutely be flattered. I would also be proud to have a Raven TRC on my guitar or guitars...

However I can't help but take issue with a particular element being plugged into a design that might muddy the waters... I was not personally a fan of the circle of birds with the est. 2012 text TRCs. Nothing wrong with them, just not my taste. So, to see an identifiable element from my initial idea thrown in to dress up another did kinda rub me the wrong way.

But let me be clear, I don't think any ill will was implied or intended and have zero issue with the designs standing beside one another, I think the differences are enough overall to set the ideas apart.

Just airing it out...

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Well if that wasn't the case then there would be no Stone Temple Pilots, Living Color, Nickleback.... oh wait, forget I brought it up.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

All good points.

Regarding the TRC, I can't help but feel like we need to take on a collaborative posture; where all ideas shared can be used to elevate the final design.

The event that sparked this thread was hearing a couple of lines from a friend of mines "old" song in another groups "new" song. Not saying two people can't have the same thought.. Not saying they can't possibly express the thought in the same way, but it's a pretty big coincidence if you think about it. I'll try to get together the lyrics of both and let you all chime in...

With regard to the TRC designs, in the case of Hans' Raven designs, it takes the crow element in my design to a whole new plateau.. And I absolutely love the vibe of his TRC concepts. And if my stuff served as inspiration for that I would absolutely be flattered. I would also be proud to have a Raven TRC on my guitar or guitars...

However I can't help but take issue with a particular element being plugged into a design that might muddy the waters... I was not personally a fan of the circle of birds with the est. 2012 text TRCs. Nothing wrong with them, just not my taste. So, to see an identifiable element from my initial idea thrown in to dress up another did kinda rub me the wrong way.

But let me be clear, I don't think any ill will was implied or intended and have zero issue with the designs standing beside one another, I think the differences are enough overall to set the ideas apart.

Just airing it out...

 

[Mikegarveyblues]

All good points.

Regarding the TRC, I can't help but feel like we need to take on a collaborative posture; where all ideas shared can be used to elevate the final design.

+1

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

All good points.

Regarding the TRC, I can't help but feel like we need to take on a collaborative posture; where all ideas shared can be used to elevate the final design.

Word.

 

[László]

Depends what you're imitating.

Learning is often imitation. First we imitate, and then as we gain mastery, with any luck we are able to innovate.

This answer has nothing whatsoever to do with truss rod covers.

 

[Albrecht Smuten]

Learning is often imitation. First we imitate, and then as we gain mastery, with any luck we are able to innovate.

+1