Beg, Borrow and Steal

I read a thought-provoking piece in the New Yorker a few days ago dealing with the sometimes sticky subject of creativity.  I say "sometimes sticky" because, as is the focus of this piece, it edges into murky legal waters and accusations of misappropriation. Although the article is devoted to rock's greatest "what's-yours-is-mine" band, I thought the underlying issues also come into play with visual artists as well.

I wonder -- do you agree with writer Alex Ross's assertion:

"The latter-day insistence on unambiguous originality in musical composition—or in literature, for that matter—betrays a small-mindedness about the nature of creativity."

I welcome your comments.

In the mood for a thriller?  You can't do better than brother Jim's latest:

"I found myself not being able to put the book down...it just got better and better!"  LS, Arizona