Patheticisms pt II: Unoriginality is A-okay!

   I'm not sure how I feel about that sort of pseudo-deepness you see a lot of in forums and blogs and, liner notes for webcomics, and these kinds of blogs. (Amateur blogs, of which, this is, you know, one, so I'll try not to get self indulgent/high and mighty, making out like I don't do that at times.) I'd been going to put "ie, strongly dislike" as a parenthetic after "not sure how I feel about," but I'll just let it stand for itself; I'm not sure how I feel about it. Pseudo deepness. It sounds pretty, as long as you have your brain switched off. If not... It's painful. Sort of, aww, cute, look, it's trying to form a coherent thought. It thinks it's people. With any form of expression, you have some who can navigate better than others, of course- some people, as well, aren't good at expression at all, so I give them a kudos or two for trying (kudos is singular! I know, isn't that surprising?) Even if you're super eloquent, though, and especially if you're not, well, you don't need to be. Ninety-nine percent of the stuff in the world has already been commented on after some fashion or another.

   That's why you don't always share your own beliefs and opinions, and don't always need to. You go with other peoples'. It would be helpful if you also agreed with them, of course, but even if you don't level 100% with them (and, once again, especially if you don't) you can also add your own commentary, advance the dialogue to your own degree of contribution (and even advance the dialogue by "contributing" something that someone else has already written.) It helps to source carefully and everything, too, looks more impressive if you admit that that sizzling slice of bacon ain't yours.

   How can deference make you look good? The better question is, why does it- and I've got a few reasons I came up with:

1. It proves you know things about the scientific and/or literary greats, even enough to quote them and/or reflect an understanding of their views,
2. It's less painful-- if not for you than certainly your audience; instead of having to come up with your own stuff and how to phrase it, just lift from someone else (once again, making sure to cite properly!) Why? because...
3. They're (ostensibly) professionals, which means that they've had time to do that thinking while using a lot of different support and have managed to form a superior opinion. You haven't had that time, and also enjoy being lazy.
4. Deference shows humility.

   Just cop someone else's that you know might be good, instead of go with your own stuff you suspect might be bad! Said the one who wrote this.