I have noticed a few disturbing trends lately here on DA and in general across the nation. In schools our children are being indoctrinated to be good citizens and tattle on fellow students and mommy and daddy. This is a profoundly disturbing trend to me. This group think is slowly sinking in at every level, including here at DA! Another disturbing trend being censoring artwork as well as free speech. Society is under attack from within as well as those who consider themselves handlers or controllers. The herd mentality can be a very dangerous thing leading to such wonderful things as lynch mobs and witch hunts that always involve innocent people. Such is the way of society when people lose the ability to think objectively. Of course these are extreme examples but serve to make a point.When rule of law is as cloudy as it is, at the top of society, like it is in the usa, it is only natural that this disease sinks slowly through the ranks, spoiling everything in it's path. Artists and musicians and writers, along with intellectuals and philosophers are the first line of defense in society. The trend is disturbing to say the least. I view my own art as a reflection of the times. A mirror of my internal grapling with the forces of being. My inspiration comes from without and within. Very often I am inspired by the fantastic works of other artists. It is difficult in these digital times to discern when the line is crossed between creation and infringement on others works. In the past many examples can be sited of artists styles being similar to each others. Sometimes obvious, other times not. I am writing this piece, not to judge or criticize anyone, just to petition the sense of consideration, on a deeper level, to the rights and morals of the community in general. It is obvious when some one outright copies others copywritten work and claims it to be theirs. Other times it is a little more ambiguous. When we start climbing the hill of personal judgment as to the intent and inspiration of others artwork we are climbing a slippery slope to say the least. When we publicly attack each other over stealing each others ideas or expressions of each others ideas it concerns me. No one has a patent on ideas or expression. This goes to the very fundamental foundation of society. Are we free or not? That debate can rage forever. I only ask that we consider the climate we create for ourselves when we set out to judge each other. We may be correct 99 times out of 100. But what about that one time? I know I am extremely idealistic at times. I don't view my artwork as something I own any more then you can own the wind or the sun or the land. It is a gift to me from the creative mystery that is to be shared with everyone. How it affects people can be owned by no one. It's intrinsic value to be placed by the adorer. To be quite honest, I could care less if someone steals my art. Thieves need inspiration too! Besides money is the single cause of all our pain and grief in the outer world. A system I am very happy to see colapse before my very eyes. Owning is the great disease of the modern times. Sharing is the opposite. That's my 2 cents worth! Ha! it aint even worth that! but ask me if I care! Peace you all!