The ecstasy of influence: part 2

According to Lethem’s essay, his obsession with plagiarism stems from the idea that people who plagiarize do not get to experience that true richness of the piece. The arts that have become disposable to the public and will eventually loose meaning and the special value it held when original. In order for an artist, writer or anyone to release a masterpiece that is purely original, there is a great deal of hard work, dedication and creative insight put forth. When that work is reproduced and picked part, the emotion is lost and the piece becomes undervalued. The scenic collection of words is broken and the picture is lost forever, as its parts are scattered throughout other canvases. Lethem believes those who can understand the value of creativity will always be rich in ideas, since this gift will never be taken for granted.

Lethem, as a writer, is simply trying to say to the audience that sometimes it is not our fault that we use other texts to create our own, but instead from being trapped in the middle of the feud between the “artists” and the “corporations”. Lethem, admits that he too has fell subject to this time of “cut-up” methods and not all of his stories are really his own. He shares them with us willingly without hesitations, but if we are so intrigued as to pick them up, respect his voice. We must respect his voice and others like him and do not pass them off as our own, or break apart their canvases as an attempt to repaint another picture.