The joy of cheating

After finding out the WC's most infamous plagiarist is openly reviewing poems, it got me to thinking about the joy of cheating. http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/misterjingo/1414335/?&p=4

   Some people know I ran a marathon in October. I didn't do very well. I finished close to dead last, as they were picking up the pylons. Along the up and back course I noticed an interesting phenomenon. Twice, a man who was behind me suddenly came back down the hill ahead of me. I smiled, he ignored me. I knew he got tired, waited, and jumped back in not once, but twice during the race, just to say he made it ahead of people like me. I thought, "what's the joy in that?" I worked so hard to run the race, I wouldn't want to illegally shave one km off, let alone ten or so. A friend of mine told me about a woman who did the very same thing in Vancouver by cutting through city streets.
   Whether it is a marathon or stealing someone else's words and claiming them as one's own, the goal is glory for its own sake, false or not. Inside the cheater must be a miserable human being, lacking a sense of purpose and self worth, needing to lie to get false pats on the back.
    The person on Writer's Cafe who has claimed others' works as his own duped us in many other ways. He created false identities and generated interest in his profile by reviewing his own poems. Who knows how many of his works are actually his own, and if he has possibly published others' writing as his own? In addition, he gives false and serial reviews, and randomly spits venom at people whose work he considers beneath him. Pretty brave for a man who plagiarizes and posts. He is known through other poetry sites as well. If the administrators of the sites don't see him as a problem, I certainly do. Let's not welcome this charlatan back with open arms. Let's make it known he is not welcome back.
    When people asked me how well I did in my race, I told them I finished, but not well. But at least, I got over that line without shaving off a single metre of 42.2 kilometres, and that is a hell of a lot better than running back down the hill when you think no one is looking. And every word I write, imperfect as it may be, is mine, and if credit needs to be given to an author or an inspiration, I always make note of it. There is no joy in cheating your way to the top, in racing, or in writing.

Reviews

[charlie]

"Inside the cheater must be a miserable human being, lacking a sense of purpose and self worth..." maybe these words are very true, and this is exactly the profile of a false, deceptive character. Or maybe cheaters really don't care and are happy, after all, with their behaviour... Who knows? But one does wonder (if I may ponder out-loud in response to your post): what is the best way to respond to "a miserable human being, lacking a sense of purpose and self worth"? For those people who wish to be the best versions of themselves, I think it is an important question to consider...

Thanks for a thought provoking write, Goode

[Lyn Anderson]

I can realize someone is sick, and say "that's too bad" without letting him in to rob me blind. In addition, his actions were far more severe and twisted than simple copying of words. He personally messaged people, lied and manipulated, and ran 20 or more ids to dupe people. If people think that we should then say "that's okay, we feel sorry for you, come dupe us some more," I guess that is up to them. I lived with an abusive manipulator already. I came here in part to get away from him. Thank you for your words and your review, I appreciate the feedback. I will continue to feel strongly about this. He is openly sending read requests which people are responding to, I suppose, because they think it is the right thing to do.

[therisa]

Congrats on finishing your first marathon, KL, many don't even manage to go that far. As for this @#@##, just ban him/her, by their Internet address, and move on, with more Important things, in life. Of course, if you knew their home address, I suggest hanging them, by their short hairs, until they pledge to stop, doing this dishonourable act, to writers everywhere. On second thought, do it, on the coldest day, of the year.

[Lyn Anderson]

I wish the site administrators would outright ban him. They won't. Why? Because it isn't as important to protect fellow writers as it is to ensure the advertising dollars keep flowing by making sure we all tow the MATURE tag line correctly. I have him banned by all the ids I know him by, but who knows, he may be any one of my new friends, which is why I don't let many in anymore.

[therisa]

By not banning this person, they lost possible ad revenue, from people leaving the site. How short sighted, the admin is. Sigh.

[Matching Socks]

So wonderfully said. A perfect analogy. Our words are a part of us. They are our experiences, hopes, dreams, fears, successes and failures. I really don't understand how someone could live with themselves behaving that way. It's just not normal.

[Lyn Anderson]

No, it's not. I am surprised he would bother coming around again. Just poking to see what's what I suppose.

[Pryde Foltz]

I suppose it must have something to do with the way they were raised … maybe always pressured to be first and such, or perhaps an inability to relate with people in a genuine manner. I once listened to a documentary on compulsive lying and one man continued to make up falsehoods into adulthood because as a child this was how he and his mother related … he would tell lies and she would pretend they were true to validate him. And I know I for one, a polite Canadian, not with plagiarism of course, but with other fibs will politely go … oh that is nice … and change the subject to avoid embarrassing the individual. Maybe the tact would be to politely but firmly ask the individual why they do this? I think more than anything he must be a prisoner to the behaviour … in desperate need of attention anyway ... it is perplexing for sure.

Kudos on the marathon … I've done a couple halts … so I have an idea of the determination it takes to train and finish.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. Yes, I am sure he has his own motivations. I do feel badly for a person who feels this need, but I feel worse for the people he takes advantage of.

[Pryde Foltz]

I do have concern for the young writers, for sure.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. I totally agree with you. I thought we got rid of him. I had run ins with him. Chris something..Good riddance of him. Excellent...:)......

[Rene Salinas]

Absolutely agreed here. Isn't amazing to accept onesefl at the place where you are? I mean you have shared some of you trials and tribulations and open yourself up here. I for once have followed some of your journey with respect and a certain amount of disbelief. Yet, in that context why to take shorcuts? Truly there isn't any joy at all in cheating. Just the fact that you finished that run just like when you finish a writing should in my opinion be more than enough to lift you and to show you tat you can keep true to your word.

Great stuff!

Thankyou

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks Rene. Disbelief, yes, sometimes I can't even imagine living my own life.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hear, hear! Three cheers for a) your achievements and b) for outing CV again!

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I would love to see him banned outright.

[Coyote Poetry]

My friend. Impossible to stop all things. I'm here to read and enjoy the word. Internet make people come and go. Bad and good. I'm no judge. Just reading and writing for pleasure. Maybe one day make a living writing? I hope you are doing well. December is here. Time to celebrate the Christmas holiday.
Coyote

[Lyn Anderson]

I am just the type that won't stand by. I want him gone.

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope it doesn't effect your day. Can't allow the bad thoughts effect our life and day.

[Rob Santana]

Yeah I like your Marathon photo. Really cool. But does suck when people steal other's work and claim it as their own.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I just want this guy to stay underground. Where he belongs. Unsuspecting new writers will continue to friend, read, and review him as long as he lurks. I was really hurt when I found out just how many people knew he was a liar and a cheat and did not warn me.