Any intellectual activity that presupposes creation and sharing has full merit.
This assumption applies to all areas of creation, from writing to music, including painting and photography. Anyway, these are just a few examples of a vast array of creative design fields.
Looking more at the area of writing, where I include myself with what I write on this Blog, the creation process begins not with the title of the text or dissertation, but with the idea of the topic to be written about, a period of reflection and elaboration , which is followed by the creation of the structure of the text, this being an idea also shared by the experienced journalist and writer Martim Mariano, and who explained it in his book “Dar a volta ao texto”.
Those who do not want or do not have the capacity to carry out this process are tempted to plagiarize texts or use other people’s ideas to their advantage.
In my opinion, sometimes plagiarism is confused with intellectual dishonesty.
Plagiarism is the simple and direct appropriation of a product (text) that has already been created, and that someone uses and disseminates it as if it were their own, even with small changes in detail.
But in my opinion, Intellectual Dishonesty goes much further.
In this case, someone appropriates the idea that someone else wrote about, sometimes even the structure of the written text, and from there, with their way of writing, examples and other details, they give a personal “outfit” to the final product.
Therefore, deliberately writing with the same form and concept about a subject already explored, avoiding the issue of plagiarism. If there is no such intention, refer to texts or entities that also wrote on a certain subject, assuming them as a reference.
Sharing ideas, experiences or thoughts through writing is an indescribable pleasure, even if no one reads them. The creative process on a Blog and the idea that while writing, you are simply talking to someone, without any other interest, is in itself so rewarding.
Obviously, you will understand the sadness we feel when it seems that someone comfortably takes our ideas and admits to others that they are theirs. Even worse, if there is economic exploitation.
This reflection was just to share with you that, in my opinion, Intellectual Dishonesty is precisely, in front of others, using another’s intellect for one’s own benefit.
As I have already mentioned in other texts, being a motorcyclist brings with it a state of mind and a way of being, which must always be present in any situation in life and not just when we are wearing a suit and helmet, on our motorbike.
This is an important contribution with which we can contribute to a more fair and honest society.
Enjoy your ride,
