Dear Lord of the Post: Fuck You (4297 hits)
Category: NoneRating: -0.19 on 166 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Razor <Jeremy_21117.at.hotmail.com> (View user info) at 2004-03-03 13:24:09 EST
JMG114 offered me some advice... don't come off sounding bitter.
I'm not taking it.
I've been very angry, quietly, or actually quite vocally off of Ubersite to Uberusers that I know in person.
Loren, Nicole, SpikeGoddess, Jonukah, Judoka, Firefly, and bart have all told me that I'm wrong.
But I don't care. I feel really strongly about this, and I need to come out and say it. That's the kind of person I am. Unexpressed feelings bottle up and just get stronger.
And today the straw broke the camel's back.
Here's the straw:
http://www.ubersite.com/m/26846
This is the pile of bricks that were already on the camel's back:
http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?user_id=5014
Uberia is a rip-off of UberPulp. There's no other way to say it.
SpikeGoddess told me that I can't expect to lay claim to an entire genre of writing.
I agree with her, but I don't think that I'm trying to lay claim to an entire genre.
For those of you who haven't read it, UberPulp is a story in which I take Ubersite users out of their normal everyday lives and make them characters in a detective story. It's delivered in serial format.
I spent a lot of time writing out the plot, figuring out how I would work people in, and doing my best to make fun of them and be as clever as possible.
Uberia is a story in which Lord of the Post has taken Ubersite users out of their normal everday lives and made them characters in a fantasy story. It's delivered in serial format.
I know, it's fantasy, not a detective story right? And he posts pictures of legos!
Well, Vanilla Ice didn't rip off "Under Pressure" either. See, only the first 11 beats of the riff are the same, the 12th is different!
This is why I haven't been writing UberPulp lately. I had to take a break from it as my wedding preparations ramped up, I got married, went on a honeymoon, moved from one side of Maryland to the other, got a promotion at work, and had my job duties change. While I was in the middle of being super-busy, Uberia showed up.
Since then I haven't had much of a motivation to continue UberPulp. I've been advised that competition should make you strive to greatness, but I don't see this as competition. I see it as intellectual property theft.
I was co-authoring a novel with a friend of many years. He betrayed me and ripped me off, so maybe I've grown rather sensitive to this kind of thing. We had a bitter, bitter fight over our intellectual property.
I have a number of things that I have written that I haven't posted on Uber... good material... I just don't want to see it copied, slightly altered, and then re-presented to Uber to a chorus of +2s.
You know that fake squattail, that's copying and pasting bart's posts and just reposting him? I think it's fucking funny, because he's getting -2ed to all hell, but what he's doing is not that much different from what I see people doing over Ubersite all the fucking time. He's just got the guts to be up front about it.
The other day I wrote a post called "Where's Saddam" or something like that, wondering why he wasn't in the news. I knew it wasn't very exciting so as an afterthought I posted a photoshopped picture of Saddam in Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Sure enough, TWO POSTS AND A FEW MINUTES LATER, someone had posted a picture of Saddam on the cover of a book entitled "Hiding in Holes for Dummies."
Did I resent that? Not really... it was just an idle question about Saddam. I didn't invent the idea of posting photoshopped pictures of things, hell it's not even my picture. The point is that someone saw a picture of Saddam posted, so he rushed to post his own picture of Saddam. I didn't feel like I had an idea stolen, I was just astounded that people could be so blatant about things like that.
Come up with your own ideas, people. Really. It's not so fucking hard.
P.S. The first person who says that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery gets a swift kick in the nuts.
User Reviews
Submitted by TonyMontana (user info) at 2004-05-02 23:09:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
god you people are such fucking losers.
Submitted by Manfre (user info) at 2004-03-15 09:35:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Hm Im a lil late on this one.
Id be flattered if someone stole my shit...
Sorry I had to.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-08 14:09:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
http://www.ubersite.com/m/27191
Submitted by William_Q_Percy (user info) at 2004-03-08 11:30:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Use it or lose it, Razor.
Its not as though people will not read Uber Pulp when you post a new one, and furthermore, it is not as if they won't +2 it to high hell.
You have to admit that LOTP is doing a bang up job with his scratch.
Submitted by chipolatte (user info) at 2004-03-07 16:14:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-06 20:40:31 (#)
Ranking: 0
Chipolatte it's amazing that you've seen a picture of me, since I've not posted one at all, I'll be interested to see anything intelligent coming from you, because you're breakdown of the situation is 1)late 2) idiotic 3) unintelligent
You definately have a right to hate Uberia, either you like it or you don't, but don't try to step in until you've understood your ass from a hole in the ground
-------------
Wow, bitter much? Cool your jets, bro. I hadn't seen this post 'til yesterday, didn't know what it was all about. Which is why I was "late".
"understood your ass from a hole in the ground"
How does one understand his ass? I can't UNDERSTAND this insult, as much as I try, which is probably why your Uberia series sucks, as well.
Submitted by Ainkara (user info) at 2004-03-07 11:37:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
In my point of veiw, I see the two series as completely different. I loved (and still would love if there were more) the UberPulp series, and I love the Uberia series. I understand the sensitivity you would have about this. It's always easier to pick stuff like this up when it's your own work you're worried about.
Submitted by Jeriko2k3 (user info) at 2004-03-07 06:36:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
and no I don't care about my spelling errors.
Submitted by Jeriko2k3 (user info) at 2004-03-07 06:34:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
your both ripping me off, cause in I wrote a story that involved my 6th grade english class. Where all of us got stranded on an island and in each chapter on person would end up dead. Including myself. But I was unable to complete it because it was deemed, once the teacher figured I was doing instead of my work, to be "dangerous" and somehow my true intent towards my fellow classmates. That's all besides the point. I came up with the idea to use people in my surrounding to create a story because I needed charcters, rather than take the extra time to come up with my own characters. LAZY People. Haven't read the Pulp story and I've only read one chapter of the other. So quit your whining and right your pulp story before Quiton decides to sue you for using the word Pulp.
Submitted by throbgod13 (user info) at 2004-03-07 04:03:50 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
aww.. this tugged my heartstrings..
so much, that as i sat down to take a shit, a tear welled up in my eye.. and as i pinched that first loaf goodbye, i thought of this post..
if i shat, mind you, in morse code.. and took a picture of it, and posted it.. would i be ripping off...
a) the idea of coded messages..
b) pictures of shit on the internet..
c) shitting, in general..
d) people conversing..
as i grunted to get the next turd to pass the boundary of my puckered pratthole, i thought..
does it really matter how i get my message across, as long as the message is received??
and with a resounding "PLOP!", i said.. "No, Not really"..
someday, you will realize that it doesn't matter who does what, because it's all been done before..
so, continue what you were doing..
and i'll finish taking my shit..
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-06 20:40:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Chipolatte it's amazing that you've seen a picture of me, since I've not posted one at all, I'll be interested to see anything intelligent coming from you, because you're breakdown of the situation is 1)late 2) idiotic 3) unintelligent
You definately have a right to hate Uberia, either you like it or you don't, but don't try to step in until you've understood your ass from a hole in the ground
Submitted by Scott_James (user info) at 2004-03-06 17:14:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
"I waded through all of this now and I think I can identify with the frustration, but it seems a bit over the top. I think Scott_James, despite using the word pram and making me laugh makes some good points."
A +2 for me making Loki laugh.
Submitted by chipolatte (user info) at 2004-03-06 17:00:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I read about half of the responses and stopped, because they were basically all the same.
I like you a lot, Razor, and really want to support you here. Plus, I've always thought that Uberia was stupid. If you've ever seen a picture of lord of the post, he's a humoungous nerd. At least you've got that on him, right? He probably eats his boogers.
I had never occured to me that it was a ripoff of Uberpulp, but now that the issue has been raised I can see both sides. On the "anti-Razor" side, they're saying that you can't copyright an idea...he just took Uberusers and put them in funny situations, and not eveni n the same genre, "for chrissakes"
However, other than the genre, he did the EXACT SAME THING. He took Uberusers, put them in a FANTASY world instead of detective one, made fun of them, had them do funny things. The idea behind it is exactly the same, it's the execution that's different. So the issue that really comes up is how original is the idea?
For instance:
Boy meets girl, girl falls in love with boys best friend, boy kills friend
2 cops work a murder case where one cop has a personal involvement
Tyrannical leader kills underdog's family, he comes back to kill leader
ETC ETC ETC
So the question really is, does your idea fall under one of these BROAD type of ideas that is used and reused and will be reused forever?
Answer?
No, it does not. Uberpulp is a much more clearly defined, orignal and specific idea, and he barely changed anything, except for the genre.
I support you!
Of course, he does have pictures of legos, so ya know...
Submitted by Santaslidahelper (user info) at 2004-03-05 23:02:30 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
somebodee needs to stop drinking the Ego Juice.
you need to get a hobby outside the house
happy trails
santa's lida helper
Submitted by hinkle (user info) at 2004-03-05 21:05:11 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
My dear idiot, anything you post on the internet is public domain unless you have gotten a copyright and notified people of it. I seriously doubt that you would bother to get anything as pitiful as community fiction copyrighted.
Get over it.
Submitted by Can_Always_Trust_A_Liar (user info) at 2004-03-05 20:14:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
know what would be great? if this was a hoax concocted by Razor to make an Uber Soap Opera.
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-05 17:59:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I can see Uberia taking a twist and involving this thread...
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2004-03-05 17:23:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
hahaha insane
i didn't let that stop me!
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2004-03-05 16:24:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
this thread is on fire, ohh mama.
i wish i had read either series and could comment so in leiu
NO COMMENT
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2004-03-05 06:37:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Bravo!
I've just figured this out.
Drawing on the work of Tolkein, this whole absurd episode is brilliantly crafted to demonstrate that the sickness golom (and others) felt for the ring of power is the very same sickness that certain uberites sucomb to over their PRECIOUS posts and hits and ratings.
BRAVO AGAIN!
I should have twigged earlier, the username "Lord of the Posts" is a dead giveaway.
The sickness, of course, is something we are all vulnerable to. But most at risk are those who have a chance to fondle the ring and believe that it is their very own precious.
I have seen it smite idqd, razor and perhaps even young sideburns is now vulnerable.
WHAT A SAGA!!! I suggest at the next ubercon you put this together as some kind of operatic performance.
Not sure how it concludes though.
Submitted by slyphter (user info) at 2004-03-04 23:16:58 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
i already got beat to the swift kick in the nuts... now i'm going to have to pay some fat lady in pleather to do it. damn.
Submitted by IndianOcean (user info) at 2004-03-04 23:07:21 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
fuck that shit.. Nicole sort of copied my one post(To the piece of shit called ..Post)
i don't give a fuck.. why you being uptight about this bullshit man.... i know u are better than this.
but whatever.. i glad atleast you speak your mind and not give a fuck about what everyone else thinks of you... u gotzz balls.. respect.
but i still i gotta -2 this and you know how much i rate posts.. I almost never rate...
Submitted by Can_Always_Trust_A_Liar (user info) at 2004-03-04 20:13:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
god damnit, i meant "The Ocean" not "The Rain Song," fucking Houses of the Holy....
Submitted by Zoidberg (user info) at 2004-03-04 19:47:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Uhhhh Alex Im going to go with "Its Just a Website, Get Over It" for 500
Submitted by Murphy1844 (user info) at 2004-03-04 19:22:33 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Your opinion on this matter is so self-absorbed it's borderline sickening. I have lost some respect for you Razor.
Murphy
Submitted by Nator (user info) at 2004-03-04 17:08:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Dude, Vanilla Ice sucks.
Submitted by Random Joe at 2004-03-04 13:51:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
the WINNER is here http://www.ubersite.com/m/26948
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2004-03-04 11:31:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
poor jeremy i still love you even if no one else does.
Submitted by polyamorousaj (user info) at 2004-03-04 11:31:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
In-fucking-credible. If you're going to tell someone to kill themselves, do it over something worse than a rant, like an incoherent rant. Razor goes on other peoples' posts and offers insight, and you assholes tell him to leave or kill himself. I say fuck all of you.
http://www.ubersite.com/m/26910
Submitted by freebie (user info) at 2004-03-04 09:47:26 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Go back to taking a break from here. There is life on the outside, you should check it out and get over yourself and your precious contributions to a public forum.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-03-04 09:02:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I waded through all of this now and I think I can identify with the frustration, but it seems a bit over the top. I think Scott_James, despite using the word pram and making me laugh makes some good points.
I think it is also worth noting that if LOTP was using usernames just to pad hits, he probably would have done this whole series under his main name.
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-04 06:52:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
This thread is still going?
Drstrangedhruv - um, your in it dork
Submitted by drstrangedhruv (user info) at 2004-03-04 06:09:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Yeah, fuck that guy, he never puts me in his shitty, nerdy, shitty nerd-fests.
Submitted by kgbpasha (user info) at 2004-03-04 03:42:04 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Boo-fucking-hoo.
This should have been a reply not a post.
I don't agree or disagree with what you had
to say, I could care less actually, but
there was too much whining for me to give you
anything but a -2. Not that you care, not
that I care. Take care.
Submitted by tshia (user info) at 2004-03-04 02:14:26 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
go hang yourself
Submitted by Cicciro (user info) at 2004-03-04 02:09:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?message=106549198410521454
http://www.ubersite.com/m/17188
http://www.ubersite.com/m/18617
http://www.ubersite.com/m/18958
Did I rip you off too, Razor? Did he rip me off by creating a fantasy world? Does my ass want to take a shit right now? I don't know the answers to any of these questions... but the last one just answered itself... damn.
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2004-03-04 02:08:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm sorry you feel ripped off. :-/
Submitted by polyamorousaj (user info) at 2004-03-04 01:45:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
ATTN: RAZOR
http://www.ubersite.com/m/26910
Submitted by TonyMontana (user info) at 2004-03-04 01:30:52 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
dude, no one really gives a fuck about your writing. all your effort into writing some gay ass detective story is for nothing. just go back to your shitty job and shut the fuck up. quit your gay ass whining.
Submitted by jonukah (user info) at 2004-03-04 01:00:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I would, at this point, just like to mention that here in the United States we spell the color "gray," not "grey."
You gramatically challenged and mispelling frekk, you.
<smileys>
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2004-03-04 00:15:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
wowza your site is stupid.
Submitted by Herpes (user info) at 2004-03-03 23:48:18 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
I was thinking about writing a story about an inanimate object in the first person. You didn't invent that style to Über did you? I'd hate to stir up another one of these posts.
Submitted by Wowza at 2004-03-03 23:48:12 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
For those of you who haven't read it, UberPulp is a story in which I take Ubersite users out of their normal everyday lives and make them characters in a detective story. It's delivered in serial format.
This guy is the biggest fag in the history of fucking asses! This guy takes being a cock sucker to a platue out of the imagination of normal fags. His superior level of sliding in and out of same sex rectal passages is an accomplishment up there with Einstiens contribution to science or Uncle Jesse's contribution to the mullet! He give ambitous fags a new goal to shoot for in sodomy and in life. For the biggest contribution in raising the bar on the homosexual stereotype we honor Jeremy who posted this, aka Super Fag! http://geocities.com/captain_foamy next time you think about doing something this gay know that I will clown you!
Submitted by Catscradle at 2004-03-03 22:49:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Meh - I wouldn't worry about it too much, Uberpulp is much better, both in overall writing form and in the way Ubersite users are portrayed out of context but true to form. In 'Uberia' all that transfers over is the name and degree of popularity on Ubersite, although it was funny to include Maddox.
Forget about it Razor.. you have a somewhat hazy right to be pissed off but is it really worth it?
On a side note, I will be ripping off one of JMG's ideas in a post next week.
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2004-03-03 22:19:29 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
jeremy grow up.
Submitted by TaK (user info) at 2004-03-03 21:33:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Sorry to linkwhore, but I have to.
http://www.ubersite.com/m/26898
Submitted by funkmeister (user info) at 2004-03-03 21:29:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You know imitation is the purest form of flattery........... OW!!! MY NUTS!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Fabish (user info) at 2004-03-03 21:13:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
In a way it ranks up there with the: "Posts that I would some day like to see [other users write]". I agree in the sense that it is somewhat a problem. If I had started a story, and someone else starts something similar to it a few months later, I can only readily assume that he's copying me. This would upset me. On this site with so many id's and so many lame excuses for a user, I'd be mad if I had an idea, posted it, and then someone made a huge copy of it. This actually bothers me mainly because Razor's series was something new at the time. It reflected on how so many people from around the world can come together on a site, and interact, communicate, and exchange real, live, every day activities back and forth to each other.
It was unthought of at the time that the series would come to an abrupt halt, or that someone would take THE SAME IDEA - THE SAME PRINCIPLE and apply it to a new story. See where it looks like plagarism? It's one thing to have written an awesome post, and have someone create another post spawned off of it. A new post, that may relate to the other, but isn't a direct rip-off by taking the core idea of that post and basing the new one on that. You see it all the time in titles, but usually it's just in good fun - joshing around with each other, because a few of the users know others personally, and can take it as a good joke.
I haven't actually read one single posting of the Uberia story. Part of the reason is because I felt it was something that was just created to get hits by entering popular users on this site to get most of the other users to read it. Another was because, and I think Razor has stated his opinion on it before in a previous post, I don't think that there should be so many stories being written with multiple parts. I enjoy reading a nice story on this site probably more then the Random Joe, but it gets overwhelming trying to keep up with so many stories that have so many parts. It discourages me to the point of not reading any of them, because I won't be able to finish them. I'm not asking users to not write stories, but if you would like to be creative, write a three page MS Word gem and post it at once. It may be long, but it may also be worth the read.
Hang in there Razor - things are changing.
Submitted by hamilton (user info) at 2004-03-03 21:06:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Razor, i've submitted five stories of the top of my head that, by your definition, are stealing your juice. You rated at least two of them positively.
You are just mad that there is an uber serial that is growing more famous than yours.
Submitted by K.M (user info) at 2004-03-03 21:01:53 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I seriously thought you were joking, as if this were a satire, or something. I read it again. Its not.
"This is intellectual property theft."
______________________________.>Get over yourself.<___________________________________________
Submitted by EvilZurr (user info) at 2004-03-03 20:54:56 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
i cant believe youre complaining because someone out there wrote some stories that look kinda like yours. who are you to take precedence over writing storied involving uber-users?
Submitted by Pacifist248 (user info) at 2004-03-03 20:54:20 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I read UberPulp Ch. 1 and ot the jist of Uberia Ch 1.
UberPulp is more like an old cliche' detective story. Uberia is nothing like UberPulp other than the fact that is uses characters from Ubersite.
Quit copying old detective stories, "Come up with your own ideas, people. Really. It's not so fucking hard."
P.S. I realize you weren't really *copying* old detective storys but UberPulp is more like an old detective story than Uberia is like UberPulp.
Submitted by jonukah (user info) at 2004-03-03 20:54:03 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
He didn't deserve this.
Submitted by Can_Always_Trust_A_Liar (user info) at 2004-03-03 20:49:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 b/c you apologized and i can understand being angry especially since you're quitting smoking.
and regarding the "Under Pressure" thing you said in your post: no. I am a big Queen fan and by no means a Vanilla Ice fan (though i always laugh when i hear Ice, Ice, Baby), but I'm sorry that is not a rip off. That's like saying the Beastie Boys songs "Ryhmin and Stealin" and "She's Crafty" are rip off's of Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks" and "The Rain Song." They are completely different songts. True, one part is almost identicle, but that's not a rip off. That's all.
Submitted by TaK (user info) at 2004-03-03 20:06:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I mean seriously what do you want any of us to do?
You want the teacher to smack him on the back of the hand with a ruler
and not let him go outside for recess??
Even if you're right, posting this shit is not going to accomplish
anything other than generate more bullshit hits for you.
Submitted by TaK (user info) at 2004-03-03 20:04:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I just want to declare before all of you that I think it is fucking sick that ANYONE on
this site get this much attention from a whine/bitch/moan/I'm-a-puss-and-don't-have-enough
confidence-in-my-own-writing-to-just-leave-it-as-good-as-it-is-I-instead-have-to-culminate-
more-attention-by-writing-about-how-I'm-so-brilliant-that-other-people-can't-come-up-with-their-
own-stuff-they-just-copy-mine post like this one.
This whole thing is stupid.
I myself, and I'm sure lots of others could write something like this
and we would be slaughtered. You should be happy with what you have
written, what people had to say about it (either bad or good), and
you should not worry if someone emulates you.
I think I know LOTP's real identity, and Razor, I like your stuff too. This should stop now. Noone else should reply to this fucking hit-machine.
Razor, go stand in the corner and think about what you've done.
LOTP you sit right here on this chair and don't move until I say so!
Are we really this young?
Submitted by Can_Always_Trust_A_Liar (user info) at 2004-03-03 20:01:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I sympathize, but I gotta say that UberPulp was a great idea and I think people should be allowed to incorporate it inot their own stories. You at least have credit for coming up with the idea, but if that's not enough for you then I guess you'll just have to keep complaining.
I did a short series (which I never really finished) which I considered an homage to UberPulp. It didn't use Uberusers but it was a detective story with a largely comedic element. I gave credit to you for the inspiration, but was I wrong to write that in your eyes?
I think you need to settle down and deal with it.
Oh and if you're curious about my story here's link to the most recent one which has links to all ones before that: http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?message=1075785643988211511
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2004-03-03 19:59:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
""""Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2004-03-03 19:44:22 (#)
Ranking: 0
what's that isaac? you want a bed time story? you want me to put mummy and daddy in the story, and some of your friends as well? sorry isaac, no can do. that concept has been taken. """"
What Shandy said.
Submitted by Bargled at 2004-03-03 19:45:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
you cant assign yourself a genre or topic and expect everyone else to stay away from writing epic stories about that specific genre or topic. That's like saying Issac Asimov should have been the only one to write science fiction and fantasy stories because he got published and all the noteriety first. Then where would Tolkien go? Or anyone else who wanted to write a goddamn book?
it's common sense.
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2004-03-03 19:44:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
what's that isaac? you want a bed time story? you want me to put mummy and daddy in the story, and some of your friends as well? sorry isaac, no can do. that concept has been taken.
Submitted by polyamorousaj (user info) at 2004-03-03 19:42:33 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Kind of weird that this is only the second post of yours that I've read.
Submitted by whataefag (user info) at 2004-03-03 19:38:34 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Just because this is the only shit post by you that I've read since I joined. Oh, except for that one yesterday, but we all have soon-to-rejoin-the-nic-fit-crowd weeks. A big ole -2
Submitted by K.M (user info) at 2004-03-03 19:11:12 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Jesus Razor...
Submitted by PWNstar (user info) at 2004-03-03 18:57:25 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Whiney McWhinterton from Whinesville
God, I'm clever AND original.
Submitted by Judoka (user info) at 2004-03-03 18:47:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I skimmed the Uberia saga today, I hadn't read any, and I must say beyond some superficial similarities I didn't think it was 'stealing your juice', to coin a phrase.I can certainly understand your feelings on the matter but, I feel you are making a mountain out of a molehill.
Like PAS I didn't know the LOTP guy was an established user. Actually that is far more interesting than the rather pedestrian fiction he posts.
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2004-03-03 18:39:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
you were not the first person on Über to use people's usernames in a story, go chew some nicorette or something... it had never crossed my mind that the uberia story and uberpulp had something in common, your own achievement is your own, and no one can take that away from you, be proud of what you have and for Christ's sake, sack up and be a man... this whining is a woman's noise.
Submitted by Scott_James (user info) at 2004-03-03 18:35:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Okay, I've read this post and the responses. I then decided to read UberPulp and Uberia and see what all the fuss was about. I came to the following conclusions:
1) Both serials are based on the gimmick of putting Uberusers in fictional settings.
2) Both use a serialised format, that ends with a traditional cliffhanger on each post.
3) Both are well-written, funny, and inspired.
Thus end the similarities.
Based on this evidence, there is no basis for an accusation of plagiarism. In fact, there is little proof of copyright infringement whatsoever - unless, of course, those members who have been included have put a trademark on their usernames, which I doubt.
Also, I don't regard Uberia as being a direct rip-off of Uberpost. The most pertinent similarity between the two serials is the gimmick of putting real people in fictional settings, which in itself has been an established and often hackneyed writer's tool since before Ubersite even began. True, Razor appears to be the first person to use it here, and with great success, but this does not mean he has exclusive rights to the tools, only the finished material.
Moreover, the issue of ownership is tricky because both writers are portraying real people and their likeness in a fictional setting. Without a disclaimer - like those seen on the tail of an end credits reel or the opening sequence of South Park - then this leaves the writer open to legal prosecution if he portrays a real person in a negative or untruthful light. In fact, it would have been prudent of both writers to secure the permission of those users they intended to write about before they even began their respective serials. However, so far, both writers have exercised a fair degree of common sense and I find the parodies of each particular user no more offensive than what I see on The Simpsons or Family Guy.
But all this detracts from the issue at hand which is why is Razor so pissed off all of the sudden?
Well, by his own admission, he has been quietly seething about this affair since last month, but identifies a recent tribute post to Uberia as the "straw that broke the camel's back", which is arguably the most telling statement in this entire debacle.
By the looks of things, not only is Razor pissed that Lord Of The Post stole "his" idea, he is now in a phase of righteous indignation because LOTP is apparently getting props for something Razor started, which all in all, looks like sour grapes to me. In fact it is the equivalent to seeing a baby throw his toys out of the pram in a jealous rage just because the adults are all cooing and smiling down at the baby in the pram next to him.
I could be wrong. In fact, I hope I am.
So far, Razor has expressed himself in a fashion not befitting a man of his not inconsiderable intelligence, which I will put down to the lack of nicotine in his bloodstream and the thumping vein on the side of his forehead. If anything, it saddened me to see an individual of Razor's calibre resort to writing something like this.
But then something occurred to me - Writers have fragile egos.
It doesn't matter if you are Steven King, William Goldman or some guy stacking shelves in Wal-Mart for five dollars an hour. As a species we tend to bruise easily and it is both the source of our greatest strength and weakness.
In respect to both serials, I recommend that the writers pursue their creative interests without giving much thought to the other. Disregarding the fact that one story is in the detective genre and the other in the realms of fantasy, both are unique because of what each writer brings to his respected tale. Razor is fortunate to have off-the-forums relationships with several users on this site and he uses this knowledge in an affectionate, albeit funny and respectful fashion when he portrays those same people in UberPulp. It is those kind of idiosyncrasies that distinguish Razor's interpretation of the gimmick from Uberia and ultimately make his work unique.
Holy crap, that went on for ages.
A +1 for anyone who read it all and +1 for Razor's bid to give up cigarettes.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2004-03-03 18:27:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
PAS - LOTP is a username he uses just for those posts. He is another user, but he has not been around all that long.
Razor - I hear what you are saying. It's like being the cool kid at school who does something to be different only to have half the school copy it.
That being said, I think you are over reacting. Is it the serial issue or is it that he is also using usernames in his story? Neither one is all that new. Hell, I used Apollo in my little "hate post" and it didn't even occur to me that someone else may have done it. LSM started that whole McGuddah thing and everyone used people's name in that.
I've read both series and honestly I didn't think they were all that alike.
Submitted by Dlove (user info) at 2004-03-03 18:13:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Wow, with all the talk about how shitty posts get on the front page and all that, I thought you were above it Razor. This is some seriously petty shit. LOTP is writing a kick ass story that entertains many Uberusers. Would you prefer he post stupid ass shit that clogs up the front page everyday? Would that make you happy? It's a quality story and good writing. So what that he uses Uberusers in the story?
I know Mac, and he's posted on here before I did. Do I get all pissed off and write "fuck you" posts to him or other people because they use the phrase Jedi Pimp? NO. Did I use the term before he did? Yeah, I did. Big fucking whoop.
If you're so fucking "original", I'm glad you're writing a pulp fiction involving a detective. OH my god! You are so original! I've never seen that before!
You know, maybe you're just being anally stupid because you're trying to quit smoking. I could possibly give you that. But fucking grow up man. I read the first couple of chapters of your UberPulp and I thought they were great. I find myself less wanting to finish the rest of them if this is how you want to act.
Submitted by Buttons (user info) at 2004-03-03 18:02:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Hm. I seriously doubt LOTP knew of UberPulp. Anyway, I'm gonna have to check Uberpulp out - everyone here says you're a good writer, so it'll probably be worth the read.
You go have a friggin' smoke, or get yourself laid, or something. You're going to give yourself an aneurism.
0. I was going to give it a -2, but it rates. "Worth reading(+0)"
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2004-03-03 18:00:31 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Who gives a fuck about this trivial matter when the greatest of all uber serials remains unfinished, with its heroine in a dreadful situation:
http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?message=1070028059235111889
Why? Because of a viscous and unexplained ban. Probably orchestrated by Razor (who I'm sure is actually LOTP), because this serial appears to have begun as a cutting satirical response to his previous whining about lack of originality: http://www.ubersite.com/m/19295
Submitted by Tina at 2004-03-03 17:46:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
PAS, I miss "the gang" but I'd have to swim through more crap to get to ya'll than I have time for. I don't feel any connection with this place any more. I came to read what someone asked me to in an e-mail. :)
Submitted by PeopleAreStrange (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:38:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Well it is nice to see a comment or two from Tina. You're doing the right thing staying away, this place has already sucked 2 and a half hours out of my evening.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:29:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I don't consider him a rival. That's not what this is about. I feel like the more I explain, the less anybody gets it.
Jesus Christ... I'm going home and I'm going to sleep. People should be barred from posting while they're running a fever and quitting smoking.
Submitted by Tina at 2004-03-03 17:25:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Bleh. This site is really annoying. Over half of the posts written are garbage. Not just crappy writing. I mean no substance at all. Was it always this bad, or was my academic life so bad this mess was a refuge?
Submitted by PeopleAreStrange (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:19:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Heimdallsman
Thanks for letting me know, I haven't read Uberia AT ALL. Now I guess I'm going to have to - look what you've done Jeremy, you've unwittingly given your rival publicity, you fool!
I'm only kidding.
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:19:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
quit yer bitchin'!
you are pissed off that you inspire people to try and entertain others? j00 need therapy, amigo. it seems that you have self-worth issues, you are a beautiful and unique snowflake... just like everyone else.
Submitted by The.Masked.Assailant (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:17:23 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
wait!
I wasnt kidding
Submitted by Heimdallsman (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:15:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
PAS, it's been fairly well established that LOTP is an alternate identity. It's all in the replies to his posts.
--HeoimdallsMan
Submitted by The.Masked.Assailant (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:15:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
"P.S. The first person who says that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery gets a swift kick in the nuts."
it's called capitalism dickwad. ever heard of competition? dont you know that competition forces the market to produce the best product. in this case, Ubersite is the market, and your gay genre is the product. therefore, may the best story become the best story. sorry razor but you dont have a monopoly on ubersite topics. so go blow justin timberlake and throw firefly into the mix for some fun.
just kidding. :-P i'm crazy
Submitted by ChristPuncher (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:09:54 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
What a nerd man.
Go outside and plant a tree
Oh boo hoo
GO RUSH WOO!!!
Submitted by PeopleAreStrange (user info) at 2004-03-03 17:02:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Another thing - I think involving Uberer's in a story is a good idea, good enough for other people to copy, like LOTP and Tom and whoever else.
So at least have the guts to say "I stole your idea Razor because it was so fucking good. I'm not going to apologise for stealing it because I think I have done good work by building on your concept but I am man enough to admit I got the idea from you".
At one point I thought about writing a story about people from Ubersite in it but I didn't because I'm too lazy but at least I would have tipped my hat to the source.
And another thing, For fucks sake people, why are you being so hard on Jeremy and telling him how he should think and how he should feel. By all means disagree with him but don't try to stop him from being who he is or from expressing himself. If he bottled this shit up it would be bad for him - we all know that about emotions.
Submitted by PeopleAreStrange (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:57:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
WHAT I FIND FISHY.
Lord of the Post says he had never read Razor's Uberpulp. He's saying he was too much of a newbie to have seen it. Therefore he didn't steal Razor's idea.
So how can it be that on the FIRST day LOTP registers on Ubersite 17th Jan 04, is the exact same day he posts his first chapter of Uberia involving the regulars on this website.
If it was his FIRST day on Ubersite how the fuck would he know WHO the regulars were, let alone make up a post involving them and what they are like.
Another thing that smells like haddock is that Uberia are the ONLY posts he has made over the last 3 months. Okay there are a lot of people who write serials but they also post about other subjects, it seems odd that this is the only thing he is interested in writing.
My opinion - is that LOTP is an established uber-user who has been around for some time and who decided to create a new username to post the Uberia stories under. Therefore he more than likely would have been aware of Razor's Uberpulp but it makes him look better if he pretends he hasn't.
Am I wrong?!
Submitted by Tom (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:54:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh hey, Razor, do you feel slighted that I took uberusers out of their daily lives to search for a holy sandwich? I'm just curious, is the idea only YOURS?
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:42:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:17:00 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 13:38:40 (#)
Ranking: 0
"Ubersite is not the real world."
That's such a cop out. Every single person on here is a real human being.
So Razor, is that your real name?
------
What does that have to do with anything? I'm baffled. If I met you walking down the street and told you my name was Bob instead of Jeremy, does that make it less real if I kick you in the nuts?
My real name is Jeremy, and my email is right there next to my username. I've met plenty of Uberusers outside of the site. Are you telling me you're not a real human being? Are you an artificial representation of Ubersite itself?
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:39:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Btw - I'm +2ing this to counter the zeros I have given since i keep posting. Cause I don't think your ratings should suffer for posting this.
This is my last post on this thread, then I'm moving on, as should everyone else -
I Didn't know Uberpulp existed at the time I started writing Uberia. This should be sufficient, period.
Now, if you all would kindly excuse me, I have a story to write.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:38:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:13:58 (#)
Ranking: 0
Ok Razor -
I'm thought about -2ing this only because you're not really making a valid point. But that's not right, you are speaking your mind and I want you to hear me out.
Problem with your Point #1 - If a tree falls in Uberia, does it make a sound?
I never heard about Uberpulp, until you "resurrected" it just about the time I was 10 or 11 chapters into Uberia. It was not and still is not my intention to "Rip you off" of your story. The fact of the matter is there is ALOT of content on this site, and I will never have claimed to even get close to reading it all
----
I have a hard time believing that. Nevertheless, I have no real choice but to believe you, and therefore I apologize. I would be very interested in seeing you reveal your "real" Uberidentity along those lines.
----
Problem with your Point #2 - I'm a good sport, Can you be a good sport?
I read Uberpulp and thought it was fantastic, and yet, a completely different turn of events and spin from Uberia. I thought nothing of its similarities, but noted your writing style to be profoundly different (And in many ways better) than mine.
Until Bart tells me that I will have to get written approval from all of the Uberusers before I will post material, I will keep writing, and enjoy what I do. I don't intentionally try and step on peoples toes because I wanted this to be a story that everyone can enjoy, not feel threatened by it.
This is in no way a copycat of Uberpulp. WHY? Because Uberpulp simply didn't exist in my head at the time I wrote this, so therefort your point is not valid.
Razor - Keep up the good work with Uberpulp, it's an enjoyable story and I hope you continue to write, as will I with Uberia.
People am I right??????
----
I never asked you to stop writing Uberia. Clearly, you've been writing it for way too long and too many people like it to ask you to stop.
Submitted by PeopleAreStrange (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:38:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
To some extent we all copy/steal ideas or get inspired by others. And I doubt that you're the first person to have the idea of involving users in a story, I've seen something similar on another website. But you were the first person to do that here on Ubersite.
And therefore this +2 is just in support of how you are feeling. I agree that if you are pissed off about something then say it. Why should you congratulate someone on ripping off your idea if that is what you feel they have done.
I think you're right, it is a 'grey area' regarding Uberia (which I haven't read) because this guy has stepped on your toes and you spent a lot of time on Uberpulp and now he is getting all the credit and adoration.
Well I think people are becoming selfish. They like seeing their names in Uber-stories (whether created by you or LOTP or a flying monkey). They don't like hearing that your feelings are hurt. They advise you to shut up and post more stuff to entertain them.
I say FUCK THEM! you have every right to be upset, to feel that your creativity has not been respected enough to have been left alone.
I'm going to say that unfortunately this shit happens a lot and there is not a lot you can do about it (except to sound-off like you are doing now) and that almost everyone at some time is guilty of copying ideas, or will make a parody of a post for laughs.
But I support your right to feel annoyed about it and I agree that people need to try to be more original and if they haven't got anything interesting to say just STFU.
btw when my fiance gave up smoking he was angry for about a week, shouted at me a lot, but that was 5 years ago and he hasn't smoked a fag since. So good luck Razor I know you'll do well in life.
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:33:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Once again, Mac is correct. At the time I have started to write Uberia
1) I have never heard of Uberpulp
2) It was No where to be seen on any of the top charts (or at least I didn't notice it)
3) I never heard any banter from anyone mentioning a detective story or the name Uberpulp
When you resurrected it, I read it and enjoyed it. Again, a totally different spin but enjoyable.
If they seem alike, really, get over it. Uberia has pulled from Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Terry Goodkind's novels, Matrix and pretty a bit and piece of everything I have read and or heard.
It draws attention that way, people can relate. I put people into a fantasy world where it can at times be humourous and other times draw you into the story.
I don't expect to publish this in any type of hardcopy format, because no one outside of Uberia would get it.
My plans were to use this as a launch for a bigger project, called the Cyber Chronicles. I was going to write this regardless of using Ubernames or not which dealt with the crossover between the real world and cyberspace.
Again, I thought this idea was creative and new, but GUESS WHAT????? I bet someone, somewhere has thought of this before you as well, maybe a different website, maybe a differnt stream of posts, but I bet the idea of taking real people and putting the into a fictional story has been done before...
Hmm............. I wonder..........
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:29:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I am guilty of my own post. You rub me wrong. I cannot help but notice your multiple minus 2's. I do not hate you, as I responded, by the way.
I am not concerned with what you do - I told you I would avoid your posts because you thought I had it out for you, and that is what I have done.
Submitted by Mac (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:25:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
PukingDog,
Why are you always so concerned about me and what I do?
Submitted by SpikeGoddess (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:25:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Jeremy,
Thank-you for the copyright info---obviously I didn't know anything about it.
I think the problem is that you feel wronged, yet the community as a whole has a different set of ideas about what constitutes acceptable behavior. Your expectations are out of line with those that the community at large holds. We seem to believe that the idea of "casting" other users in a serial story isn't something that should be a one-time-only deal. You feel otherwise.
I'll tell you why *I* think this is small-minded thinking. I don't know if others would agree, but to me the point of Ubersite is to encourage expression and creativity. I'm here to engage in discussion and to create. I'm here to see what other people will do and encourage them.
If something you wrote inspired another person to write a substantial story AND this person had a great time doing it AND it has freed his creativity, how can you be anything but happy about that? You're being stingy with this 'idea' that you came up with rather than allowing others to take it and do it their way. You don't even know that LOTP got the idea from you.
The first time someone made a musical should they have whined and tried to stop anyone else from ever making a musical? No. I'd argue that the "uberusers in the cast of a serial" idea *is* a genre on this site now. You birthed the genre. AWESOME! You've inspired others to do their own work within a framework that you set up. Get over the postpartum depression and enjoy what you've started.
It comes off as jealousy because it's as if you want to be the only person who receives praise and readership for this genre. (It also comes off that way because of the inflamatory language you use, and your refusal to temper your bitterness as per JMG's suggestion.) You seem to resent that someone else 'gets +2s' with this genre that you started. Do you see how this is kind of selfish and petty? How everyone is receiving enjoyment from the writing and reading of other stories in the genre and you come off like The Grinch Who Stole UberUser Serials?
Melanie
Submitted by smokymtcsw (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:23:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I started my longish review before Bart had posted his. By the time I was done you had two reviews talking about music and showing that it is all derivative. I did not plagiarize him. :) Razor come on man. In the words of Bobby Mcferrin who probably stole them from a stoned jamaican, "don't worry, be happy"
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:20:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
That is right on (LOTP). This has been fun.
Mac, how many fucking -2's will you give one post? That is exactly why you are such a cunt - and you freak out if you even get one! And, you don't get it. Ever, it seems.
Submitted by Heimdallsman (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:17:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Okay, okay.
So, maybe Uberia was inspired by Uberpulp. I'm sure there were some people who said to themselves "This sounds just like Uberpulp, what a rip-off."
It upsets you that you had an idea, and someone else seems to be profiting from it. Go -2 his stories! Have it out on his post instead of out here. You're right, this does make you look petty.
Your choices are clear.
A) Never post another Uberpulp because you're sulking,
B) Make Uberpulp better than Uberia,
C)Ignore all this hoo-hah completely.
Which will it be?
--HeimdallsMan
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:17:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 13:38:40 (#)
Ranking: 0
"Ubersite is not the real world."
That's such a cop out. Every single person on here is a real human being.
So Razor, is that your real name?
Submitted by bart (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:16:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"If you're posting uncopyrighted material on the internet, you have to expect it to get blatantly stolen, and be ok with that."
By the way, there's no such thing as "uncopyrighted material". If you write something, it's copyrighted by you. Just because it's in a digital format that is extremely easy to copy in no way lessens the legal interpretation of copyright.
Neither Ubersite as a fictional entity nor me as an individual claim to own copyrights to anything posted here by other people. If someone copied Razor's UberPulp series to print in a book or even publish on another website, he would be legally entitled to sue them for copyright infringement.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:16:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, thank you Loren. I'm glad to know I'm not the only person living out here LaLaLand.
Now Mac (and others), this is not an example of two separate stories using the same character names.
We have a community of Uber-users. Both of these stories take the Uber-users and put them in fantastical situations, where they react in a way that the author imagines they might had they been in those settings, and the characters are placed there and react they way they do because they are parodies of the actual Uber-users. There's a reason Rick Manfre was sexed to death, there's a reason why MickGinny was dealing red-head porn, and there's a reason why LOTP made bart king of uberia and I'm his number one knight or something.
I feel that he took my concept of putting everyone on Ubersite into a story. I have not said that he flat out plagiarised me. There's a huge difference.
LaNa, I read enough of Uberia to lose my temper, then I started skipping to other parts of it and reading paragraphs here and there. I've probably read about 5% of it.
Submitted by Mac (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:15:14 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I still love how everyone on here assumes LOTP has ever read UberPulp or even heard of it.
Submitted by lordofthepost (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:13:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Ok Razor -
I'm thought about -2ing this only because you're not really making a valid point. But that's not right, you are speaking your mind and I want you to hear me out.
Problem with your Point #1 - If a tree falls in Uberia, does it make a sound?
I never heard about Uberpulp, until you "resurrected" it just about the time I was 10 or 11 chapters into Uberia. It was not and still is not my intention to "Rip you off" of your story. The fact of the matter is there is ALOT of content on this site, and I will never have claimed to even get close to reading it all
Problem with your Point #2 - I'm a good sport, Can you be a good sport?
I read Uberpulp and thought it was fantastic, and yet, a completely different turn of events and spin from Uberia. I thought nothing of its similarities, but noted your writing style to be profoundly different (And in many ways better) than mine.
Until Bart tells me that I will have to get written approval from all of the Uberusers before I will post material, I will keep writing, and enjoy what I do. I don't intentionally try and step on peoples toes because I wanted this to be a story that everyone can enjoy, not feel threatened by it.
This is in no way a copycat of Uberpulp. WHY? Because Uberpulp simply didn't exist in my head at the time I wrote this, so therefort your point is not valid.
Razor - Keep up the good work with Uberpulp, it's an enjoyable story and I hope you continue to write, as will I with Uberia.
People am I right??????
Submitted by smokymtcsw (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:13:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Razor,
Sometimes I have been annoyed by this website because I have realized that if I went and lifted and took a picture of myself with my shirt off while I was flexing I would probably get better reviews. I have also realized that if I wrote stories whether real or imagined that were funny and that were self deprecating I would get good reviews. I have realized that discussing third grade or riffing on Seinfeld type observations on life, or ripping off the anger and wit of Maddox would get good reviews. I have decided to go ahead and stick with some satire, and some true stories, and some serious attempts to discuss issues that matter to me.
Now the format of my stories is not an issue. I think you are mad because someone took your format. If you had invented the serial I would agree with you. You were the first person to put people from this website into a story. Truth be told I would be much more entertained by serial fiction that put Janet Reno and Britney Spears into a story because I think it would be more hilarious. That being said the idea itself does not seem all that original to me. Copying a persons post is unoriginal. But I must say that when I posted on Willie Williams I had no idea someone else had posted something different on the same person earlier. I think that unlike me, most people here read a ton of posts (I follow fav. authors) and are familiar with the site, but some must be like me and could copy inadvertently. Furthermore even if he did take the style and format from you, if you ever examined your own writing you would find tons of influences.
My brother and I write music. Andrew is maddening because he is a brilliant musician but he also knows EVERY freaking song it seems like. He will say, Clayton that song has the style of Counting Crows circa recovering the satellites and that guitar part is very similar to an acoustic set that Silverchair did. Finally at one point I made him listen to muddy waters and then a great deal of rock from the 70s 80s and 90s including the Rolling Stones to realize that everything is somewhat derivative. It is impossible to be entirely different and original.
Ice Ice Baby was a rip off I think, but when DJ dangermouse just made his gray mix of the Beatles white album it was not a rip off at all. I do not know, just do not stress about it. Take my advice and try something new. Put in people who everyone will care about and enjoy mocking like Paris Hilton, instead of someone like Loren who only people who have seen a picture of how hot she is and those who know her care about. Anyway you are smart, quit stressing about this and stress about other things that worry smart people like nihilistic philosophy, the hole in the ozone layer, our shrinking biodiversity, the trend towards a police state in America, foreign relations, what it says about our country that the milkshake song was so popular etc.
Submitted by bart (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:12:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Ok, I think you're looking at this in the wrong way. Writing and creativity are not zero sum games. There isn't a winner and a loser. If someone "takes" something from you, you don't have any less.
Creed was a ripoff of Stone Temple Pilots who were a ripoff of Pearl Jam who were a grunge version of Led Zeppelin who were a rock version of numerous old blues artists. That in no way devalues the work of Pearl Jam or Led Zeppelin, although Creed still sucks.
The point is that if someone copies your style, it does not devalue your original work. Nobody owes you anything, not legally or morally, although it is nice to get a shout-out every once in a while. To say that people shouldn't copy your style is to cutoff access to an entire new realm of creative possibility just so that you can hold on to the style and say that it's mine - my precious.
Sure, it may piss you off to see other people copying you and getting praised for it. Welcome to earth. The world is very competitive and ubersite is no different. If something isn't legally protected by law (or even if it is) you should expect that other people will try to redo it in small ways to make it better.
Here's some old school stuff for you:
http://www.boredatwork.com/users/funnyman/fat.html
http://www.boredatwork.com/censorship.html
I wrote both of those before I had ubersite to write on. One is a comedic parody of a scene from Pulp Fiction and the other is a paranoid conspiracy rant about things that have come true since 9/11. What do you owe me? Should anyone who writes a conspiracy rant pay homage to me?
No. Nobody owes me anything. People may copy the style or they may not. If they copy the style, the only thing I can do is be happy that people found the style worthwhile. I can take pleasure in knowing that I influenced them, but that does not entitle me to anything else.
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:09:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Unfuckingreal. It is so obvious that a basic idea copied, using usernames as characters, is plagiaristic. Own it. And then say fuck it, because really it's not a goddamn bestseller that you wrote...
Loren seems to be the only one getting it.
Submitted by quack (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:08:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
this does seem awfully whiny and childish. i've read both, and thought both were interesting and cool in their own ways. (though i do think its a bit of a hit-whorish, positive-rating-from-the-people-you-write-about concept... but thats another argument.)
get over yourself, please. i agree with will, pmj, and a few others' arguments.
i was going to brand this with a -2, but, because this wasn't complete shite, and because it's good clarification on the subject, have a zero instead...
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:07:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by SpikeGoddess (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:42:50 (#)
Ranking: -2
Obviously, you know how I feel on this issue.
Here's something I *haven't* said:
If you're posting uncopyrighted material on the internet, you have to expect it to get blatantly stolen, and be ok with that. I personally don't post anything that I couldn't deal with being stolen because what legal recourse do I have to prevent that from happening? None that I know of. I'm talking about blantant out-and-out STEALING, not writing a story that's similar insofar as it contains Users as the characters.
Jeremy, I believe that there is greatness within you. I mean that sincerely, and more than anything that's why I have a problem with this. This kind of complaining makes you seem like a small person. It dims the light of your greatness, honestly. I know that you firmly believe what you say, but sometimes the best course of action is to keep silent. Venting is good, of course, but venting which makes you look like a petty human being is best saved for close friends (who understand and will love you anyway). I'm not suggesting that you should be false or dishonest and try to present a mask to Uber about how you really feel; I'm just saying that sometimes we all need to make a concious effort to allow the best of our nature to come forth and be expressed rather than the parts of us that hold us back. This comes off as jealousy (whether it's well-founded or not, and regardless of your 'status' here already) and is frankly about as mature as a third grader yelling "JIMMY COPIED ME!!!!!" to the teacher.
You accuse Lord of the Post of plagiarism; I think he'd have a better case against you for libel. Can we just call it a day and get back to exercising our creativity in a positive manner?
SpikeGoddess
-------------
I did not accuse him of plagiarism. I accused him of ripping off my idea. Those are two very distinct but closely related concepts.
As far as you saying stuff about posting things on Ubersite that can get ripped off, you obviously don't know anything about copyright law. Here's a quick snippet from the US government's copyright website's FAQ:
"Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section "Copyright Registration." "
You also can't copyright ideas. I'm not saying he made a copyright violation. I'm saying he ripped off my idea.
I can tell everyone thinks I'm being petty. I just don't understand why. I'm not being coy. I just don't fucking get it. I feel really slighted, and I felt the need to say something about it. I feel like someone wronged me and people are upset that I mentioned it. Why in god's name is there any mention of the word jealousy? I don't get that either.
I really feel like I'm missing something fundamental about human nature here, and I don't even know where to start looking. I've read every word that everyone's said and I still don't get it.
Is it a wrong to say something when someone does something to you you perceive as bad or wrong? If so, why do we have a system of courts? I'm not kidding. Is someone complaining about being assaulted being petty?
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:05:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Mac (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:56:34 (#)
Ranking: 0
Razor,
If someone were to rip you off, they would have taken the exact same story line and only changed the character names and dialogue. Since I haven't read any of UberPulp, I'll have to make something up. If you're story was about a detective named Razor, who just so happens to be a goat and he goes around solving crimes with his sidekick, who happens to be a monkey named Mac. Well, a rip off of that would be a story about a detective named Rizzo, who just so happens to goat and he goes around solving crimes with his sidekick, who happens to be a monkey named Mark. You see how that works?
Good. Now if you were to have a story about a guy named Razor who was a wizard that flys around and drinks magic Mountain Dew with his friend Mac the talking broomstick, then no, the two have nothing to do with each other, aside form the same character names. See my point?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Um... yeah.
What he said.
on a side note: Mac, did you eat some funny smelling mushrooms recently?
Submitted by Loren1 (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:05:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
1. There is a teeny tiny part of me that gets annoyed when someone posts a "drauring" - but mostly when they use my name in the title or copy the title to hit-whore. Pretentious of me? Too fucking bad. Not in my opinion.
2. And although he's a good guy, (username escapes me at the moment) it was annoying when someone took my idea for an Uber-directory, and as you may have noticed, it inspired me as well to say "fuck it - I'm done with it."
3. Luv ya Riz, but your "Funny -2" posts were a direct rip-off of my "Uber-WTF's." I don't bitch about it, because it is funny to read, but again, it deterred me from continuing with mine. I only mention it now in support of Razor.
Now... with that said... some random thoughts:
1. Yes, when it's obvious someone is ripping you off, it's obvious, not pretentious. Plagiarism in ANY sense is a shitty, shitty, shitty thing. It's STEALING. It's happened to me in "real-life" and even though it's been about 15 years since it happened, every now and again STILL I get a pang of anger when I think of it. It's a violation of a part of someone, a rape of a creation, so-to-speak.
2. People who plagiarize are no-talent lying thieves who will never get anywhere in life unless they're riding someone else's coattails/stealing their ideas.
3. UBERERS: You that do it know who you are! You're not impressing anyone here that is at all intelligent and/or observant.
4. I haven't read a single sentence of Uberia.
Submitted by Mac (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:02:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Puking Dog,
I'm not LOTP. Razor wasn't targeting me here. It was the fact that I did a parody of Uberia that sent him over the edge.
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2004-03-03 16:02:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Horseshit. If you come up with an idea to use Uber names in a story, hit-whoring as that is, anyone else who does that too is an unoriginal fuck trying to get attention.
Submitted by Mac (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:56:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Razor,
If someone were to rip you off, they would have taken the exact same story line and only changed the character names and dialogue. Since I haven't read any of UberPulp, I'll have to make something up. If you're story was about a detective named Razor, who just so happens to be a goat and he goes around solving crimes with his sidekick, who happens to be a monkey named Mac. Well, a rip off of that would be a story about a detective named Rizzo, who just so happens to goat and he goes around solving crimes with his sidekick, who happens to be a monkey named Mark. You see how that works?
Good. Now if you were to have a story about a guy named Razor who was a wizard that flys around and drinks magic Mountain Dew with his friend Mac the talking broomstick, then no, the two have nothing to do with each other, aside form the same character names. See my point?
Submitted by LaNa (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:55:20 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I was content to just sit back and watch the two sides go back and forth on whether or not it was an idea stolen - or just a coincedence. Then I read this...
===============
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:20:51 (#)
Ranking: 0
In fact, if you look over the entire Uberia saga, you'll note that there is one response from me across the entire thing.
It's a +2 saying "I'll get around to reading this eventually."
I've barely read any of it. It just kept making me angry.
================
Razor,
How can you even begin to bitch about the idea being stolen from you if you're so proud in the fact that you've barely read any of it?
I agree with QueenAshlee... Be happy that there are decently written stories out there, and then go home and enjoy your real life.
~LaNa
Submitted by Heimdallsman (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:48:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Razor, I have no idea what the legalities would be in the real world (I know you're not arguing from that perspective here), but--
Take a look at the movies "Armageddon" and "Deep Impact".
I think, during production, one of them had to change from a meteor to a comet to keep from being too similar, but let's look at a synopsis of the stories:
Came out about the same time.
Big thing gonna kill everybody.
Ragtag band of misfits sent to destroy big thing.
Oh boy, they almost fail.
Whew, they succeed.
Two stories, very similar, both enjoyable on some level. I know it's hard, but can't you at least try to ignore Uberia, if you can't enjoy it? I don't think you have much to stand on here.
--HeimdallsMan
Submitted by Lucifer_Industries (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:48:00 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I DON'T CARE.
Malone
Submitted by PukingDog (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:45:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Holy shit. A lot of attention on this...
First of all, it is fucking lame to write shit that is so close to something else. The bottom line is, somebody first had the idea to take Uber users and put them into a story. That was pretty much an original idea, whoever did that first (I can't tell from all the bitching below).
Anyone who said afterwards, "I think I will do something like that" is just reaching for something. Bottom line. Make up your own idea. Yes, there are no original ideas left in the world. We all know that - but this is just obviously too close to the original - and this latest one is like what, 2 paragraphs, and people love it. Personally I do not understand, but that's my problem. Anyway, it is fucking unoriginal in every sense of the word.
Someone's pussy hurts, actually lots of someones now - Razor, Mac - it would suck to see that your idea was basically copied and only minimally changed. But it is kind of a fruity idea to begin with - who are Uber users? Just people, man. Seems like a lame way to try to get more people to read your post.
If you took all these Uber stories, changed the people in them to made up names, would they be so cool to everyone? Fuck no. Mac's story from today would be even stupider than it is now. IT IS ALL ATTENTION GETTING. UberPulp or whatever the fuck it is would just be another series of posts, but they wouldn't immediately get certain people to read and rate them. Grow up.
Submitted by SpikeGoddess (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:42:50 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Obviously, you know how I feel on this issue.
Here's something I *haven't* said:
If you're posting uncopyrighted material on the internet, you have to expect it to get blatantly stolen, and be ok with that. I personally don't post anything that I couldn't deal with being stolen because what legal recourse do I have to prevent that from happening? None that I know of. I'm talking about blantant out-and-out STEALING, not writing a story that's similar insofar as it contains Users as the characters.
Jeremy, I believe that there is greatness within you. I mean that sincerely, and more than anything that's why I have a problem with this. This kind of complaining makes you seem like a small person. It dims the light of your greatness, honestly. I know that you firmly believe what you say, but sometimes the best course of action is to keep silent. Venting is good, of course, but venting which makes you look like a petty human being is best saved for close friends (who understand and will love you anyway). I'm not suggesting that you should be false or dishonest and try to present a mask to Uber about how you really feel; I'm just saying that sometimes we all need to make a concious effort to allow the best of our nature to come forth and be expressed rather than the parts of us that hold us back. This comes off as jealousy (whether it's well-founded or not, and regardless of your 'status' here already) and is frankly about as mature as a third grader yelling "JIMMY COPIED ME!!!!!" to the teacher.
You accuse Lord of the Post of plagiarism; I think he'd have a better case against you for libel. Can we just call it a day and get back to exercising our creativity in a positive manner?
SpikeGoddess
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:42:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I don't see where the story line or the characters are the same. I don't see where the setting is the same. I don't see where the plot is the same. I don't see the sentence structure or format to be the same. Hell, I don't even see where the perspective might be the same.
Why don't you give us examples of where they are the same? In the real world we call that qualifying our statements.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:38:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm serious about the last thing I said.
I honestly do not understand why people do not agree with me.
Based on the response that I've gotten, I feel like it is a flaw in my thinking somewhere. If you guys can convince me otherwise, I will take back everything I said and apologize, and emerge from it with a better understanding of the world.
Please give me some examples of "OK" and "not OK" that don't involve copy/paste
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:34:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
So can someone give me some examples of what WOULD constitute ripping off a post? Because I can't see a more clear cut example without copy/paste.
Maybe I'm seriously missing something here. Enlighten me, please?
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:28:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Well, since whataefag decided to copy and paste your post, here is my comment from that post. Not that it matters.
Oh come on. Get over it. It's two different stories. You are very talented. Why don't you spend some time writing something worthwhile instead of whining? I was glad to see that you had posted, because you don't post often. But this blows. Come on, man. And if Lord of the Post stops writing his story because the you are pissed, a lot of people will be very dissappointed.
You are not the first to come up with an idea like this. You are only the first to have done it on Ubersite.
There is absolutely nothing new under the sun.
Please finish UberPulp. It was what got me interested in this site to begin with.
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:27:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Ana, I only posted it once. whataefag copied it and posted it again, changed his display name to Razor. He's making fun of me.
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:21:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Why is this posted twice?
Submitted by Razor (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:20:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Mac (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:08:31 (#)
Ranking: -2
Razor,
That's fucking weak, man. This is the biggest crock of shit I've ever heard. I can't believe you'd be arrogant enough to assume he'd even heard of UberPulp let alone used it as a basis for his own story. If anything, this post makes you come off as a shitty has been poster that's desperately clinging to the idea that he's an original writer. It's sad. You know good and damn well that Uberia has nothing to do with UberPulp, which changes this from a hate post to a jealousy post. This post wreaks of "I envy his talent and long for the days of when I was that special". You're fucking better than this, Razor! So quit sulking and write something good.
------
If I thought it had nothing to do with UberPulp, I wouldn't have posted it. I don't know why you think I think that or that I'm jealous. It seems to me that it has EVERYTHING to do with UberPulp, and considering that I feel that it is a blatant RIP OFF of UberPulp, I don't think it's arrogant in the least to assume that.
In fact, if you look over the entire Uberia saga, you'll note that there is one response from me across the entire thing.
It's a +2 saying "I'll get around to reading this eventually."
I've barely read any of it. It just kept making me angry.
If you want to think I'm a has-been, feel free. It seems to me if you look at my most recent page of posts, you'll hardly see me getting ignored or rated poorly.
If you want to think I'm out of juice, feel free. I've written good posts recently and have a number of kickass things on the burner.
If you want to step back and consider that maybe, just maybe, I feel like someone ripped off one of my best ideas and that I see people ripping people off on Ubersite constantly, and it pisses me off, and I just quit smoking, and that pushed me over the edge, then feel free.
P.S. I **AM** original. It's all there in the user info, baby.
Submitted by Lisa (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:20:37 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
This scares me. There is a world outside posting on Ubersite. I think what I mean to say is, who gives a motherfucking rat's ass?
That came out wrong. I meant, "Are you really upset about this, don't you have anything better to worry about?"
Still bad. How about, "When is the last time you saw the sun?"
Or, "Awww, are you gonna c-c-c-cry, Wazor?"
I've got no problem with you, but I sincerely suggest you take your fedora to the pawn shop down the street, and see if you can exchange it for a life.
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2004-03-03 15:19:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
A little sensitive are we?
I miss the series you were writing. I never even thought to compare the LOTP posts to yours. Maybe the inspiration for LOTP did come from your posts, and maybe LOTP might have asked you first to see when your series would be over or if you would mind if he started posting his series.
Unfortunately that did not happen.
Now we have one really good series in full bloom and we have lost another really good series because the author has sour grapes.
We all lose.
You should be happy that the LOTP series is going well. I love to see writers perform well, especially here at Ubersite amidst all the "writers block filler" and general garbage that seems to land here.
Just like I am happy for my peers at work that have a great idea or a money saving procedure that gets recognized from above. I don't wallow in self pity, wondering why that person may have stolen the idea