No regrets when it’s not your fault

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It wasn't me. It wasn't me.Following in the footsteps of another disgraced plagiarist, Stephen Glass, New York Times black eye Jayson Blair is attempting to leverage his scandal by shopping around a book to publishers, according to The Washington Post. But unlike Glass, whose book is not ironically a work of fiction, Blair’s would be a tell-all about the NYT and his downfall, the thesis of which seems to be, “it’s not my fault.” Literary agents think he could get a six-figure advance.

In his book proposal, Blair compares himself to teenage sniper Lee Malvo and blames his actions on the inevitable rage of an oppressed young black man. Shameless excuses for his plagiarism include:

  • whites always told him he’d never succeed (so he proved them right?)
  • he was addicted to alcohol and drugs
  • he was depressed and unhappy with his workplace environment
  • deception was fun and he couldn’t control himself
  • the New York Times is racist
If Blair really believes he wasn’t responsible for his actions, then he can’t be apologetic–and he isn’t. Now he’ll likely be rewarded. It makes you wonder what’s the point of playing by the rules.

BONUS: Judge Posner weighs in on the Blair scandal and exposes himself as somewhat of an IP anarchist. Plagiarism is bad, and should be punished, but borrowing ideas without attribution is no big deal, Posner says.

It would be better if the term “plagiarism” were confined to literal copying, and moreover literal copying that is not merely unacknowledged but deceptive. Failing to give credit where credit is due should be regarded as a lesser, indeed usually merely venial, offense.

As a blogger, I would have to agree.

May 24, 2003 | Comments

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