The Myth of Originality

Here's a brief excerpt from my brief talk at the Wired Business Conference last week, where I attempt to dismantle the Romantic notion of originality as "something that comes from nothing" and point out that no idea comes from nowhere, ideas are new combinations, culture and technology are inherently accretive, and, well, genius steals. 

Some of this thinking may be familiar to regular readers of TIGS. [WINK] 

There is also a gag [that goes down without a giggle] about exposing yourself.

This mostly not very funny mode of humor may also be familiar to regular readers. [WINK]