The Book Of THoTH

Hi Sol,

You write:



That's quite a dilemma isn't it?



Yes, and that's an example I had in mind, but I didn't want to appear overdramatic.

Best,
Gary

Anyone remember the Dan Brown trial? I never knew what to make of that, he writes a novel, based on ideas that he's read (or rather his wife did) on the internet. The novel sells millions and the people who had the ideas file for plagiarism.

To me if someone is successful, by plagiarising that doesn't weigh in for much in my view. Simply because they've not done it through hard work.

Take the front page of here for example, I could do what has been done on other sites, and copy lots of articles from elsewhere on the web. For a long time now the front page here has consisted of articles people have written and contributed to BoT themselves, they mean 1000 times more to me, and the site than copying a bunch of other articles from elsewhere on the net.

For a while I used to add 1 or 2 articles from elsewhere a day there, but always made sure the source link was the first thing people saw, some sites have it as a tiny link right at the end, which again to me is dishonest. It got to the stage where almost all of the sites I was visiting were all carrying the same bit of news, copied and pasted into their own sites. Thats when I decided to change how we did the front page.

I withdrew my membership recently from a site, because they were regularly linking to articles on sites who'd just copied and pasted the full article, instead of the sites where it originated. It would be like someone linking to Oddthings excellent article at jasons site , instead of to it here. That does OT no favours at all, helps the wrong person, more so because there was no credit to OT at all

I've rambled on a bit, but I'm often reminded of how my ideas for BoT and it's name etc were ripped off. they even nicked by nickname So I know all about this stuff, I'll finish with the quote which says it all..

"It is better to tread your own path, however humbly, than that of another, however successfully" - Bhagvad Gita

Your integrity and that of your staff is the reason that Book-of-Thoth is now the primary site that I frequent. Even the average post reflects this integrety.

Hi Thoth,

People who use other people's material; steal their research as well as their insights, ideas and theories are basically very insecure and not confident about their own creativity - especially their writing abilities. The same people are in a rush to get to where they want to be and so they cut corners and avoid the really hard work to get there. However, one cannot really go the distance because whatever the person has acheived has really been through deceit and he or she will eventually be found out.

Being proud of what I do, and also naturally a creative person, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I used another person's work for my own gain. I would feel that there is something lacking in myself. Also I am not envious of other people's successes, but if they have got where they are by using others in this way and also compromising their futures - their path in life - in the process, then that is wrong and such people should be named and shamed.

Also the quote you give from the Bhagvad Gita applies to my own attitude to life - which is why I have said 'no' more times than I have said 'yes' to those who promise things but have ulterior motives. If I acheive something - anything - then at least it will be through the merit of my OWN work.

Best wishes,
Gary

I have to admit that I never quite got that. Aren't a lot of fiction books based on real research or nonfiction events? OK, I read a lot of fiction so I know that they are. I am just not sure I accept taking non-fiction research and turning it into a fiction murder mystery is really plagiarism. Maybe it is because I have seen at least a couple of the guys who wrote Holy Blood, Holy Grail on the history channel explain how Dan Brown got it wrong and how their book is different. I have often wondered if Brown used those clips in court.

Hi Lesley

Yeah, wasn't sure how that one would turn out, and making a novel from the ideas someone has already published as non fiction, isn't what I would class as real plagiarism. If Brown had written a non fiction book based on their ideas, then yes that would have been very wrong ie duplicating ideas,content etc.

That case smacked of "sour grapes" seeing that Brown made millions and no doubt Baigent and Lee wanting a percentage of that as their books weren't as popular as his. Although Brown could've at least referenced their work as an inspiration which would have been better.



That's true, but as you said before Gary, sometimes when it's explained that others have deceived, the accusation can be made that it's the complainer who is trouble causing, or wanting to spoil things for those who've deceived, even getting accused of jealousy or envy as you say, when the truth of the matter is just wanting to put the record straight, and point out an injustice.

I suppose an idea here or there, or a chapter in a book is ok, its when the majority of the ideas, or content is plagiarised that it becomes seriously wrong.



Thank you Poppy ! that's made my day, and it makes me feel much better about things. I do hope more are like you and see through the ones who severely lack this integrity

Martell will be on the Kevin Smith show on Friday - http://kevinsmithshow.com/
I wonder if it is a call in show? Or maybe I could email Kevin Smith and have him ask Martell why his doesn't credit the authors of the articles on his site.

Great idea Lesley...

I emailed Kevin and told him what Martell had been doing, he told me to call in during the show and ask Martell about it, so assuming I am around at that time I may do that.

Well folks, this might not be the way to handle this, but now I'm officially tired of Jason Martell.

The article which he originally stole from me, and then took down after much ado, is now back up on one of his other sites(his blog this time). I'm not going to link to it, because I don't want to give him the traffic, but, trust me, it's there, with a different title and without my name again. If any of you kind BoT folks would like to e-mail Jason, tell him that Dustin sent you(he's ignored my e-mail on the subject), and you're tired of him ripping off other people articles.

Jason@XFacts.com

E-mail sent OT...

The power of the internet folks. A few of you copied e-mails which you sent to Jason(and thank you too Momma!), and I have received this from Jason a few minutes ago:

Yep me too. Don't mess with our Dustin!

kat

Thanks katsmeow! At least my little campaign has gotten his attention. I got a nasty e-mail from him, which I won't post, and the host of his blog has been contacted and they're taking a look at it. I am not one to go after people for anything they do, but I hope this ends up with something "on the record" about him so that he thinks twice next time.

Email sent.

Done & done!

Good morning folks. OT, I got up to a reply:
"Yeah, he is pretty lame for spreading false info...

Jason Martell
http://AncientX.com
http://Xfacts.com"

This guy is lika a youngster. He reminds me of a saying from elementary school.
... Your comment bounces off me & sticks to you...

Besides Dustin contacting his blog server and I have my doubts that they will do much of anything except maybe make him take down the article, there must be other things we can do. I emailed Kevin Smith who is having him on tonight, but I think I will also email George Noory along with other people who help with his "career." These people should know that he is a fraud and I think if enough of us let them know we could have some sort of effect. What other shows does he go on, Jerry Pippin maybe? He must stop stealing other people's work and getting away with it. He shouldn't profit off the hard work of others. Sitchin lets him, so I guess that is OK, but most others I doubt gave their permission. I am going to post this information at other message boards I belong to too.
Sure, I may not be a great writer, but at least my stuff is my own and I don't think Martell can say the same.

I've just gotten a response from Jason saying "all we have to do is let him know, and he'll remove it" my response was

"Point is Jason, you shouldn't be taking them to begin with, it's not up to us to keep checking to see if you've stolen articles, it's down to you to make sure that it's ok to use the article to begin with, or at the very least respect the articles origin and author. You've annoyed a lot of people lately, if I were you I'd stop before things get much worse."

Yeah THoTH...I got a response to my email last night something like he had no idea what I was talking about...I find that a bit disingenous to put it nicely. :/

I didn't get a reply to mine.

I only suggested that he google the following:

plagiarizer jason martell

Last night when I googled it, this thread came up in the top two (I swear!)

Now it's just a bunch of mumbo jumbo

edit:

still comes up if you google plagiarize jason martell

so, um N/M

No reply to mine either......

Oooo, off to e mail!

We'll keep it up there Reb.

Don't worry OT I'll be nice and politically correct.


Jason Martell, shame on you. Dustin is NOT an idiot! You know nothing of which you speak.

Dustin is the most honest person I've ever had the pleasure to know and has worked hard on his articles. No one should be able to just take them and post as there own. It's just WRONG!

Jason Martell is also supposed to be on Coast to Coast on Wednesday 6 December.

If you listen to C2C maybe you can call in and ask him about stealing articles from the Book-of-Thoth.

I know he also steals elsewhere, but maybe we can convince him to leave our authors alone! If he gets hassled by BoT members every time he has a live interview then perhaps he'll realize he does not want to steal from here.


Jim

He won't be stealing from here anymore, or anything from OT, I've had his word on that. He was abusive and threatening however but ahh so what, he seems to think it's just a couple of people that are objecting.

I'm baffled with all of this, apologies and an assurance it won't be repeated would be the best way forward, not to insult or make veiled threats. He's lost any respect I ever had for him anyway.

I don't see what the big deal is....

Why doesn't he just include the name of the author and a link from where the piece originates? Seems like a tiny bit of typing and forethought would've saved him a world of grief.

I'm absolutely not an author and I can only imagine how it feels to not be given proper credit. I've known Oddley for awhile now. I have tons of respect for him and I'm proud to call him my friend. Sending a little email was the very least I could do for him in this situation.

To the others that have been victims of this guy, I'm truly sorry for you.

I hope he stays away from OT's material and hope the same for the others he's taken. Truely hope it ends here.



No reply yet, not expecting one.

It looks like the message has sunk in at last, but stay frosty.

I am going to email Noory about Martell and when they have the show listed on the streamlink message boards I will also put a post there about him.

He replied petty quickly to mine. I used RIP-OFF as the subject.
"Dustin sent me over to say you should quit ripping off other people's work. Use your own brainpower, lol, for a change?"