Summary Of Something Sorrowed By Malcolm Gladwell

In “Something Borrowed,” Malcolm Gladwell discusses his ideas of the problems of plagiarism. First, that plagiarism's ethical rules decided words are property of the writer. Using another's words is wrong. His second point states that plagiarism disconnects the creative process. Finally, plagiarism encourages that the ideas are property of the writer, and that evolution does not exist. Plagiarism should seek to include the creative process regarding intellectual property.

A person cannot own words. In adolescence, we develop our sense of language. The words and gestures that combine to convey our needs or ideas. We learn that words have a set meaning, or definition. That words can substitute identical words. That a group of words must follow specific rules. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are major components of language. Language is a shared form of communication.

Copying is inherent human nature.

During our development, we learn certain behaviors. We learn that we must imitate, and we must copy good behavior. These lessons are never questioned, due to early aged concrete reasoning. Expectation translates to required. As we develop, we learn to question those ideas, and test our boundaries. We develop how to apply or discredit those ideas. Copying is essential in the evolutionary process. We cannot and should not expect an idea to be fully utilized from its original use.

Creativity is the product of exposure to other’s ideas. As abstract reasoning develops, creativity is sought after. Interpretation of ideas becomes dependent on an individual’s thought process. As time goes on, we learn how to transform the ideas from its original form. In grade school, when given an assignment to write a story about a bus, children may say, “I rode on a bus.” As we develop, it can and is expected to become different – experiences vary. Stories become the intellectual property of the writer, but the idea did

not.
In adulthood, this chain of evolution seizes to exist. Once we enter into an abstract theory of thinking, we are encouraged to believe that ideas are spawned without influence. Use of another’s work, in any context becomes unethical. Which may have negative sanctions, such as failing an assignment, or expulsion from school. What was once encouraged is no longer encouraged. We still attempt to use the previous lessons, but often find our words lacking, and our ideas without substance.
Without the creative process, intellectual property would not exist. We all use language, it is shared. Ideas are not unique to the individual; the transformation may be. There is where potential and creativity stems from. Drawing from ideas and evolving them, changing them, adding, taking away from.
In terms of plagiarism, we must learn to include the creative process. Without the creative process, ideas would not evolve, and nothing would change. Limiting liberal use of intellectual property would be beneficial for all parties. We would be able to create and transform without fear of negative repercussions. Perhaps changing intellectual property to the transformation of an idea would be a better idea.