Would You Help A Friend With Ideas To Start New Discussions?
By Brian
@wolfie34 (26771)
United Kingdom
September 7, 2009 7:19am CST
A very good friend of mine on Mylot started a discussion about running out of ideas for discussions on Mylot which got me thinking
What if I had some discussions which I felt that she could start? Would that be classed as cheating?
Or would it depend on what ideas I gave her, for example if I typed out a discussion and sent it to her and she used it, would it be classed as plaigarism even if I allowed her to use it word for word?
Or would it better to offer her suggestions to start up discussions?
Have you done this? Have you helped a friend out on Mylot by providing them with discussions to start up themselves, therefore being unselfish and wanting to genuinely help someone?
I like to think I am very creative, imaginative and even last night when I was trying to sleep I had all these discussions rolling around in my head it started when I read the aforementioned discussion from my friend about running out of ideas. The ideas then trickled out
But if I came up with a great discussion would it be wrong to offer that discussion to a friend to use and claim credit for and earn from?
After all I don't use this site to make money, I use this site to make friends and we all help each other out. But giving a friend a discussion that you could start yourself is that going too far?
4 people like this
14 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Sep 09
This is a discussion that I find I am not sure how to answer. I do not want to be selfish but know that most of the time I can be. To me, mylotting is a great way to make money and while my fiance has a job now and I plan to get a job, until then I would have to really like the person to whom I would be sharing my ideas. Then again sharing the idea and allowing them to start the discussion (with my words exactly) gives me the chance to elaborate and expand on my thoughts (in a way that would not make it obvious that the original discussion is my work!).
I do like to help people, and when you can help yourself, and / or have fun doing it I see no problem with it. As long as the person has been given permission I don't see it as plagiraism, now if you've started the same discussion on another site, then that might very well look bad so I'd make sure it's originally yours and solely for this site. UNLESS of course you state that this is also going to be or has been written word for word by you on another site.
Well, Hope that answers all your questions.
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
7 Sep 09
Considering you started off by saying that you weren't sure how to answer this discussion I think you have done a very good job, so thank you and yes you have answered my questions. When you start discussions and get responses I have found that you actually get great ideas and inspirations for starting new discussions from just the responses you have received, great eh!
2 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Sep 09
I have noticed that myself and have started many from just that! It's great to have so many ideas flowing through one's head, but then all of us get a point where we just can't think of anything. I'd suggest to your friend to search on mylot for discussions, respond and by then she or he may have inspiration again - if not, of course go ahead and give them some ideas. Any ideas I have now revolve around weddings as my fiance and I will be wed in 19 days!
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
7 Sep 09
Hi Wolfie, of course it's not cheating and I do it sometimes. Often I may have opened a discussion and someone responds with something interesting which is new to me and I go right ahead in my comment back and suggest that would make a really good discussion for them to make. I did that twice yesterday and I hope they go with the idea and open their own discussions.
On a few ocassions I have picked up something in a response which gives me an idea for a discussion of my own but in that case I make certain to mail and ask the person if they would like to use it or is it okay for me to go ahead, that happened with your good self and you gave the green light, and it also happened yesterday with another green light and it's now waiting on the sidelines until I've caught up a bit.
There was another ocassion when I asked a question of someone who responded and the next thing I knew that was a discussion which I felt was quite rude as my question had been just that and I intended to use it myself but it was then taken and used as someone elses discussion which did annoy me and I consequently did not respond to the discussion. If the person had had the manners to ask first if I minded I would have probably given it anyway.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
7 Sep 09
Hi Thea! Hope you are well my friend! When you start discussions and the responses flow in, they give you added inspiration to come up with more ideas out of the blue so to speak, just a chance response can get you thinking, ah yes! Exactly what happened when you asked me which I thought was a nice touch as most people wouldn't if you could do a discussion based on the response I gave. There is such a thing as etiquette even on online sites such as Mylot.
1 person likes this
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
7 Sep 09
Hi wolfie, fine and you I hope. Just lost this comment twice now so brief this time. Take your idea here and run up a discussion, I need to get up to date so you use the one piece of manners which mylotters feel should be mandatory in your new etiquette rules/guidelines. Go on, run with it.
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10873)
•
7 Sep 09
I don't see anything wrong with giving anyone ideas about what to discuss here on myLot and if you did write out a response/discussion for her, and gave her your permission to use it, it couldn't be plagiarism, but I could be wrong on that as I am not too well informed about publishing laws. Anyway, who is going to sue her for plagiarism, only you could do that with your own work.
Personally, I would offer suggestions and also suggest that she keeps a notebook with her, so that if she gets any ideas during the day from newspaper, TV etc, to jot those ideas down and create a discussion from them. I feel that actually doing the work for her, wouldn't help her creativity.
Only you can ascertain whether or not to give her ready-made discussions as only you can know your friend and her circumstances. I don't think this sort of thing is against myLot rules, but I would check it out.. 
- Derek
- Derek2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
7 Sep 09
I think unless your friend actually requested a discussion laid out for them word for word and I can honestly say that no one would request that, as it kind of looks bad doesn't it. I mean you wouldn't ask your best friend to do your homework for you and put it in their name? It cheats them as well. But certainly ideas which can come from responses would be welcome. We all have 'mind blocks' and I have gone weeks sometimes months without adding a discussion, then suddenly I will come up with one after the after.
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10873)
•
9 Sep 09
Yes Wolfie, that is one of the strange things about creative writing. I find that I either gets loads of ideas or nothing at all. And there's then the other blocks. Like what's the point, and our "old friend" procrastination.. I'll do it later. I never experienced these blocks so strongly until I attended a series of creative writing workshops with Cardiff Uni. Answer discussions at myLot though, it a good antidote. - Derek
- Derek
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
7 Sep 09
We are so alike Wolfie!
Yes I have helped a few friends on here before now but only with suggestions when they were either stuck or new and couldn't get round something in the Guidelines.
I gave a basic idea and a few tips as to how to set it out but I let them do it in their own words as the way I say things might (is definately) different from another user.
I see nothing wrong with helping out a user. After all if we saw someone in difficulty trying to cross the road we would stop and help now wouldn't we -
where is the difference? 
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
7 Sep 09
Good afternoon my dear friend, the kettle is on and it doesn't suit me however I see your avatar has changed and you have woken up! Maybe the discussions have got more interesting! I always worry because the t&cs on Mylot are very stringent and what might seem perfectly acceptable to most may be frowned up by the powers of be so to speak. You know me I like to give back what I receive and so by offering an act of kindness I am giving back something to the site for helping me through bad times in my life. Have a wonderful day and a black tea is coming up, with bikkies too ;0)
2 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
7 Sep 09
Perfect timing! xxx
I see nothing wrong with helping out. Using her account and posting for her would be a violation but to make a suggestion to help her out is not the same at all.
I'm on my way! 
1 person likes this
@Care4Pets (176)
• United States
7 Sep 09
Well said, Mys and Wolfie. I also enjoy helping others and would give suggestions of topics. Don't write for them though, as it is a violation, but also won't come out right. It's always better when it's in the users own words. Everyone needs help sometimes, whether on or offline, and I think it's on duty as human beings and children of God to give some assistance to the rest of mankind, especially our friends. :)
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
7 Sep 09
Hey there wolfie34
You have a very nice friend there hahaha
I think that if you typed out a discussion ready for someone to use but didn't publish it on mylot then that is fine because it hasn't been copied from someone who has already posted it. I think what you choose to do with your ideas and thoughts is entirely up to you. I do however help out the odd mylotter, like when something is said I might then say 'sounds like a good idea for a discussion to me' in the hope they will take the hint!! I wouldn't actually send a friend a whole discussion I have written myself because that isn't fair on me but I might pass some ideas or inspiration their way if they asked me for help, not that I am full of it at the moment myself hahaha
I think that if you typed out a discussion ready for someone to use but didn't publish it on mylot then that is fine because it hasn't been copied from someone who has already posted it. I think what you choose to do with your ideas and thoughts is entirely up to you. I do however help out the odd mylotter, like when something is said I might then say 'sounds like a good idea for a discussion to me' in the hope they will take the hint!! I wouldn't actually send a friend a whole discussion I have written myself because that isn't fair on me but I might pass some ideas or inspiration their way if they asked me for help, not that I am full of it at the moment myself hahaha@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
7 Sep 09
But nevertheless just from someone else's discussion and/or responses I have managed to come up with some discussions! I do value my online friends, especially on Mylot and I know they have been unconditionally supportive to me, especially in my time and hour of need, so for me it's like giving something back, so it's not all one sided. Mylot is a great community and a wonderful way of making friends, if only online but they are no less creditable than those in the real world.
2 people like this
@CynergyDiva (805)
• Canada
7 Sep 09
Okay Wolfie. I actually came to your profile to specifically look up this discussion, as I was reading the thread you responded to where you said you got an idea for a topic based on someone not having any ideas.
First, to answer your question: plagiarism is theft, so if you're giving it away, it's not plagiarism. And you never know; the ideas you give away, either by outline or word for word, just might spark a discussion that leads to many more ideas you can use yourself. Writing out a discussion word for word and giving it to somebody else isn't any different than the tons of written material that was written by ghost writers and given to someone else to take the credit.
Second, to somecowgirl. You mentioned that you feel selfish sometimes because you want to earn from your discussions. Sometimes to get something back you have to give something away. My very favourite quote of all time is, "I keep what I have by giving it away." If we're holding so tightly to something that we're afraid to let someone else have, then our hands are not free to accept anything more.
Just my 2 cents
xoxo
Cyne
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
7 Sep 09
And your two cents is always welcome thank you! I get a lot of inspiration from the responses that I get to my discussions which therefore give me fresh ideas for fresh discussions. I think it's a shame for some people just to respond rather than create discussions because that makes a balance and you are contributing more. It's a two way thing. My mum always tells me you only get out of this world what you put in.
@CynergyDiva (805)
• Canada
7 Sep 09
Your Mum is right.
I have started several discussions that have yet to see responses though. . .LOL
xoxo
Cyne
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 Sep 09
If you feel comfortable letting someone else use your idea for a discussion I see no problem with it. But, you should let that person put the idea into their own words. You are a good friend to help out another. Big huggers to you.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
8 Sep 09
I just wanted to help my friends out because I appreciate my friends helping me out when I have been in a bad way through depression etc, it's my way of giving something back to the Mylot community. But you are right and this discussion was more hypothetical, I would give ideas if someone wanted them but not a full discussion, besides it would be in my style not there, thanks for the huggers, always appreciated.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 Sep 09
You are welcome. You have always been there for me when I am in need.
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
7 Sep 09
I give my husband ideas from time to time, and no, I do not consider that cheating. I especially like to help him with ideas that deal with his experience, but that he does not consider as discussions. I bet if you start helping her she will get a new burst of thought and move right along at a good clip. It is really nice of you, as her friend to want to offer her a boost.
1 person likes this
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
7 Sep 09
I feel it is a matter of one's own choice to do this.Personally, I would not like to take anyone else's idea because I feel that I would be stealing another person's idea for a discussion topic and whatever little I get must be from my own efforts.I may get inspired while reading something but that would be something unrelated and different.If you have a particular friend with whom you are very close then it really does not matter if it is a rare occasion..Once I suggested to a friend , when she was a newcomer, to start a topic so that she would slowly get used to the site.After that she gradually picked it up and now responds in her own style.She is also a thinking individual and she takes care of how she is in the forum.
I also feel that to spoonfeed someone to such an extent is overstretching yourself.Once again it is only a personal opinion.Once in a while is alright but if you keep doing it then where is the pride of performance for every individual?
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
7 Sep 09
You have made some good points, yes for someone to get set up on Mylot, a newbie with some ideas that they can put into words for themselves to get them going, once you get to grips with how Mylot works you then become established and are able to write discussions of your own accord
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
7 Sep 09
hi wolfie I dont think that typing up something and giving it to your friend mylotter would be plaigarism but to play safe why not just'give her some ideas instead and let her build her own thing on them. mylot may just wonder how come she has the same style of writing as you do and yet again they are probably too busy to notice anyway. but you do it the way you feel is right for the t wo of you. you wont be breaking any rules and happy mylotting.
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
8 Sep 09
hi wolfie34,
i don't see anything wrong for sharing your ideas, titles, tips with a friend or someone who's new to mylot and is running out of topic for discussion.
i admire you for saying that you are in mylot not solely to earn money but to make friends and it's just finr to help people who also wants to earn and gain friends.
have a great mylot day.
@kitty42 (3923)
• United States
8 Sep 09
Hello Wolfie34
Personally I don't see anything wrong with that, I would do it in a heartbeat, who would know? you can send a private message and maybe not use the term "start this discussion" but throw out the ideas I am pretty sure you know what to say, I would do this, I have though about it and I am sure there will be a time I will actually do this, something you think about may be just right for someone you know here, I would give them whatever idea I can I love to share this is second nature to me
Did I say I agree 
Personally I don't see anything wrong with that, I would do it in a heartbeat, who would know? you can send a private message and maybe not use the term "start this discussion" but throw out the ideas I am pretty sure you know what to say, I would do this, I have though about it and I am sure there will be a time I will actually do this, something you think about may be just right for someone you know here, I would give them whatever idea I can I love to share this is second nature to me
Did I say I agree 1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
8 Sep 09
Hi Kitty, I think ideas are better than sending a whole discussion, mind you I do think that you can get so many great ideas from the wonderful responses you get to your discussions and this has been my case. I always like to help out my friends and this is a great community to make friends and share things.
@kitty42 (3923)
• United States
8 Sep 09
Hello Wolfie34
I agree, I have so much fun here, I have connected with some really great people,you are right when I respond to a discussion I say to myself this would be a great idea, I never use it lol I love responding every now and then I may start a discussion responding works better for me
Thanks for sharing this
I agree, I have so much fun here, I have connected with some really great people,you are right when I respond to a discussion I say to myself this would be a great idea, I never use it lol I love responding every now and then I may start a discussion responding works better for me
Thanks for sharing this 