I was thinking of humour but it no doubt applies to other things.

There was a time when joke telling was a part of everyday life. People retold jokes and often embellished them them themselves. Telling a joke was a minor performance. People might actually make up a joke for themselves!

Nowadays people seem to use a different way of spreading jokes - by emailing them or copying and pasting them off the internet.

You get the impression that the sender or 'paster' is looking for credit for telling such a good joke - but all it is is a mechanical exercise that is devoid of wit, humour , or expression.

This no doubt applies to much more than humour. Rather than creating somethig for yourself, just Google it off the internet and claim it as your own.

Surely this is making us lesser beings?

I sort of see where you're coming from, but not sure if I totally agree.

With emails, yes, a lot does get copied, pasted and sent on - but is this so different say, from the changes when television first appeared? You could have argued then that people used to go to Variety Theatre and share a comedian's act with friends, instead of just watching similar acts at home? And a lot of these jokes still do get retold and embellished (although more people are likely to know the punchline!)

I think what email - and I suppose message boards too - could result in is a loss of face-to-face communication skills. Pre email, people used to get off their butts and walk to the office next door to discuss/rant/ask/reprimand. Now they bash off an email which I feel is a much easier option for some than handling an issue head on.

One of my clients is a b*gger for this. He's a cyber-aggressor and a bully, but get him in a meeting and he's a wimp!

As for googling, I've found the easy accessibility to facts has helped me be more creative and produce better work, (and faster) but I accept that might be particular to just certain types of work.

Plagiarism has always existed, and works have been copied in the past. Yes, it is probably easier to do with google, but equally I'd argue that it would be easier to spot because of that accessibility.

well..as regards humour...I firmly believe it's the way you tell them.
The internet will never capture a person's accent or mannerisms or daft expressions.It won't ever tell a yarn as good as 'yer man in the corner'.
And it certainly won't buy you a pint.
:-)

well..as regards humour...I firmly believe it's the way you tell them.
The internet will never capture a person's accent or mannerisms or daft expressions.It won't ever tell a yarn as good as 'yer man in the corner'.
And it certainly won't buy you a pint.
:-)

Hello Aondeag,

Well as regards humour..I agree Aondeag, the internet could never capture the performance aspect of someone telling a joke, the costumes, the gimmicks, the expressions all areas the comedian has had to work on and think carefully out. Telling a joke or performing a stand up act is an art form.
Paul O'Grady and I, (alias Lily Savage) did this sometime ago in our local theatre and as the serious or straight side kick, I had to almost hynoptise myself into keeping a straight face.

The thing with live comedy of an improvisational nature is that it is instant on the spot creativity and it is testing of you. For me, and I may be too self crytical here, comedy I regard as a weak area, I'd rather mess up 2 or 3 operatic arias to a non discerning non qualified audience than try comedy. In a social atmosphere you also have to interact with a live audience and the feedback is immediate. The internet can't replace that either, it is a flat medium.

I do like the internet, and I do think it is a wonderful thing. But there are times when I might want a pint in the comedy cafe.

Maureen
A tired Northern angel.

I was thinking of humour but it no doubt applies to other things.

There was a time when joke telling was a part of everyday life. People retold jokes and often embellished them them themselves. Telling a joke was a minor performance. People might actually make up a joke for themselves!
I don't see how the internet has made us any less original. Jokes still get retold, and they still get embellished, and they still get invented. I agree with Fee's comment that the internet gives us much better resources. I think that's an aid to creativity, not a hindrance.

That is true. before the internet blokes told a lot more jokes when they met and now they dont

I am reminded of 2 Nuns in a bath

"where's the soap" says one

"yes, it does rather" says the other

It's better if you say this joke out loud as it does not work written

That is true. before the internet blokes told a lot more jokes when they met and now they dont

I am reminded of 2 Nuns in a bath

"where's the soap" says one

"yes, it does rather" says the other

It's better if you say this joke out loud as it does not work written

lol! maybe that's why my mate didn't get it when I wrote it down on a thank you card after she bought me a penis shaped soap!

lol! maybe that's why my mate didn't get it when I wrote it down on a thank you card after she bought me a penis shaped soap!

I had an old girlfriend who lost two teeth with a present like that

lol! maybe that's why my mate didn't get it when I wrote it down on a thank you card after she bought me a penis shaped soap!

Thanks Dol, just got that joke for the first time having heard/read it loads of times. Just needed a bit of graphic explaining didn't it.

Regarding the initial question: Does the Internet stifle creativity?

I Googled that question, and the answer was no.