Plagiarism? Tradition!

The topic of plagiarism has been heard in the background for the last six months, since Medinsky’s appointment. It sounds because water wears away the stone drop by drop. And here, in principle, it does not matter whether it is true that our politicians, like their Western ones, began to take what belongs to others for protection or not.

What’s important is that the theme be heard, that your head itches: “Oh, this is unclean, this thing is unclean!” The opposition is looking for plagiarists in the camp of power, and the government is looking for plagiarists in the camp of oppositionists.

But we ourselves know that politics is a dirty business. The topic of plagiarism here does not add or subtract anything. And for the people this is such a trifle.

And it is in this attitude towards plagiarism as a trifle that the most interesting thing lies.

Highly and abstractly speaking, plagiarism is theft: of someone else's text, thoughts, fame, even personality. But this lofty thing is apparently so high that it is not even noticed by the people today.

And why would anyone notice? In a country where counterfeiting is rampant, why shouldn’t there be counterfeit dissertations. What's wrong with that?

Again, another reason to complain that technology leaps ahead of conscience, and pragmatism takes precedence over decency. Here is a person who came across a good idea and is well formulated - it couldn’t be more ideal than ideal, let me take it as it is.

There is no desire to stand out, to put it in your own words, to show individual verbal skill. One will inevitably agree with the rebellious humanities scholars - humanities education is in a corner and will never rise from its knees again. After all, for a humanist to learn something original, something original, to “push forward a theory” is not bread.

And here there is no daring or creativity, a simple desire to take on an obstacle and gallop further at full speed beyond the boundaries of science towards titles and labels.

I remember how in the 90s the common idea of ​​a unified soviet, of the molding of the Soviet man, of equalization came into use.

So this is a formal, voluntary leveling, without any pressure, without any coercion.

And here, meanwhile, is the support of the young shift, the new shoots, who know nothing else, who boldly follow in the footsteps of their older comrades, taking their example.

I'm sitting at the table. In front of me is a stack of student essays. Every single one has been downloaded. There is a long road of explanations, admonitions and proceedings ahead.

“Plagiarism,” you say. “No,” I sigh. - "Tradition!"