Posted by photonista + First off, don't you think those whose stories received unusual attention from the media/public WERE compensated for this intellectual property? Or else they hired lawyers to sue for damages? The big stories, the made-for-TV and box office movies, the books, etc. - all the people whose lives got that much time in the spotlight through various media - were definitely paid by those corporate devils who chose to profit from their loss/suffering. John Nash, the inspiration for the film A Beautiful Mind (based on a book, btw), is a perfect example. Don't you think he/his family were very well-compensated by those who saw the marketable value of his story? + Secondly, I couldn't help but have the following reaction as I read the initial post: MANY OF THE PEOPLE THIS SITUATION APPLIES TO ARE *BEING EXPLOITED* BY HAVING THEIR STORIES MILKED FOR ALL THE SENSATIONALIST & ENTERTAINMENT VALUE THEY POSSESS - which is an infuriating truth in itself. But to say the exploitation lies in NOT BEING COMPENSATED WHEN ONE'S TROUBLED TALE IS USED FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT (which includes what they call 'news') is utterly appalling. One cannot be detached from reality enough to be labeled 'mentally ill' & still have the ability to recognize the lucrative nature of intellectual property. That is why you hear of lawsuits filed some time after a person's current mental woes are commodified IN GENUINE EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS ALLUDED TO IN THIS POST - or filed by family/other so-called 'loved ones' during the ordeal <although, if you look really closely, those loved ones seem oddly focused on milking that person/their problems THEMSELVES>. So WITH EXCEPTION TO THE *SPECIAL NOTE* BELOW, it is outrageous & nauseating to think there are people out there who are *lucid enough to know* they have any intellectual property being stolen & are actually upset about it. That attitude reveals a person who wants a piece of the action - whatever relationship she/he has to the subject of exploitation. Such persons are almost WORSE than the corporate gouls because they should, from a higher law POV, be glowing white with a sacred purity that would denounce any material gain from the journey if it were offered. If you are so attuned to this level of reality that you want to capitalize on your current/very recent mental illness, you weren't that 'sick' to begin with. You might consider being honest with yourself, seeing yourself as one more person who wants a piece of the action (& that action just happens to be you). ++SPECIAL NOTE++ Bipolar has been linked to creativity in numerous studies. You mention these persons' "stories and characters and personalities" are being stolen for corporate gain; you use the term intellectual property. This doesn't sound like mere thoughts & ideas being stolen. It sounds like a writer whose work is stolen (or playwright, other artists that create stories). And there are soooo many writers who have been linked to bipolar it almost seems like a prerequisite. You say something about privacy being invaded, which is another reason why it sounds like you're talking about a writer's work when you say "stories." Like people are going through your garbage, looking around on your computer when you aren't there, or using other sneaky ways to see your work. THEY AREN'T. NO ONE IS GOING THROUGH YOUR PRIVATE STUFF TO GET STORIES, CHARACTERS OR OTHER IDEAS TO USE IN MOVIES OR OTHER MASS MEDIA. There are too many people shoving manuscripts in directors' faces, too many people calling newspapers with sexy stories, too many people VOLUNTARILY bringing information to the media for them to EVEN CONSIDER TAKING TIME TO PERSONALLY SEARCH YOUR STUFF FOR MATERIAL. I know this is hard to believe but you gotta trust me; I know 'cuz I've been where you're at. I understand the logic. You might see a TV show character who fidgets in a way you describe in a story or hear a line in a movie that sounds almost identical to one in your own work. The metaphor & symbolism in a story you see in the media might seem stolen from your work. But it just isn't true. It is easy to find patterns in the state of mind you are in; finding patterns and significance is all your brain is working on. But not everything is synchronicity (Carl Jung's concept if you wanna Google). Sometimes a set of words that seems unique isn't that unique. A last name is almost certain to pop up & seem too close for comfort; same with numbers. And there are only so many personality traits a person can demonstrate, imitate as an actor, or talk about having, so you're bound to find characters in the media who possess the quirks of your own characters in your stories <or the so-called flaws you mention>. And just in case you don't write or create stories in some other form, maybe think about why you used the word "stories". A story is traditionally narrated, & it's made up, fictional. So you are saying these people are stealing fictional stuff from certain persons. If they are stealing fantasies, isn't that a good thing? Less fantasy means more reality (whatever that is for you right now), & the more reality the better because the closer you get to the cipher and to Truth. Right? Left. Oh geez. If you understand how much I understand about where you are, please believe that no film studios or 24-hour news networks have people going through your stuff, reading your mind while you sleep, drugging your food or doing anything else to get a look at the products of your creative mind. I know what it's like to live with that constant anxiety, & I know for a fact that you don't have enough CONCRETE, NON-CIRCUMSTANTIAL evidence to back up your theory, even for yourself, not if you really think about it. I would greatly appreciate it if you'd consider posting a response to my message <pun intended> whether I have helped you relax a tiny bit or not. I really need the feedback. Same goes for anyone else who read this & it struck a chord. Remember the benevolence within and without is always there, & can easily engulf the evil that is overtaking you right now. It's all about the fear. Real-ize the fear is unfounded, explore what you're really afraid of <when you feel ready>, & boy will you have trouble finding something to do with all the mental power you free up in the process! {disclaimer: I am not responsible in any way if anything happens to you bc these are suggestions, not commands, & you gotta talk to the doc before you make changes of any kind. This isn't medical advice; you can't sue me if you screw things up for yourself, & shame on you for trying if you do. How's the Golden Rule on that one? I welcome email from all the various positions related to what I've said. Thanks for reading this dissertation of a post!
on May 5, 2007, 11:28 am, in reply to "Re: for webmaster - re: exploitation"
12.11.93.98
3 PARTS FOLLOW
(1) If the story gets lots of attention...
(2) You can't be aware that there is money to be made from your story if you really are 'sick'...
(3) *SPECIAL NOTE* To anonymous & all others who have a terrifying suspicion this is happening to them: my thoughts based on first-hand experience, research, my dangerously analytical nature, & your exact words
NOTE (NOT *SPECIAL NOTE*)
(A) I have a form of 'mental illness.' I've been in a place that distorted reality enough to make my story worthy of exploitation, so I know from personal experience that one is in no condition to be thinking about intellectual property at the time.
(B) In case these words suggest otherwise, I want to be clear: I am super-left-wing. I have the most extreme & most palpable form of empathy for everyone, especially the 'mentally ill'. I labeled myself a Buddhist Christian until recently; I'm still a firm believer in karma/The Golden Rule
-> despite my anger I would still seek this response from you (I AM doing unto others as I'd have them do unto me) bc I'm always seeking an unbiased POV: I'm always open to a well-argued REALITY CHECK <pun intended; SEE *SPECIAL NOTE* BELOW>.
Dear anonymous & all others who identify with anon's post, I offer the following observations & suggestions. While it isn't medical advice or intended to diagnose, treat or cure a disease, all the other disclaimer crap, this will be beneficial to all on some level, especially if you trust that I have no reason to be against anyone, not even you. And now, dear anon, your words are paranoid & suspicious. You *can't* give your name, although chances are it isn't unusual <NO, I do NOT KNOW who you are>. You say people are being "targeted" & their lives are being "invaded" by members of the media. Their "likenesses" and "character flaws" are copied in movies. This all sounds like a person who: has been awake too long, did too much cocaine/Ritalin/etc., struggles with the delusions &/or hallucinations common in schizophrenia, OR has manic episodes that resemble the terrorizing psychotic episodes of schizophrenics.
<suggestions of...> IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO **EVERY DAY**
+BE SURE YOU SLEEP AT LEAST 3-4 HOURS EVERY NIGHT - even if you feel like you're just lying there.
+EAT REGULARLY EVEN IF YOU AREN'T HUNGRY - yogurt is easy to eat, so is cheese if you're a cheese person.
+TRY TO SPEND TIME IN NATURE, NEAR WATER IF POSSIBLE.
+AVOID CAFFEINE, cocaine & other stimulants.
+AVOID POT (unless it keeps you sane of course), acid/LSD, DXM ('Robo-trippin''), Salvia & other hallucinogens/mind-openers.
++AVOID ANTI-DEPRESSANTS BY THEMSELVES++ >UNLESS< YOU SEE A DOC REGULARLY & TAKE THIS FORM OF MEDICATION ALONE WITHOUT PROBLEMS.
+Take a few minutes each day to pray, meditate (without thinking), whatever you do to connect with your personal form of Higher Spirit <--but DO NOT become obsessive or spend too much time doing this. Promise yourself X minutes for the whole day & stick to it.
+Remember fear is a choice. Death is not a choice, however. You have important work still left to do.
Countless blessings to All. And So It Is.
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