Copy of a Copy of a Copy

 Ever noticed how trends spread like wildfire? One day, someone starts wearing oversized blazers, and the next, the whole world is dressed like a '90s sitcom character. One influencer posts a catchy dance, and suddenly, everyone’s doing it like it’s a sacred ritual. Originality? A rare species. But why? Why do people copy instead of creating something new?

Let’s take a step back. Picture a classroom where a teacher asks a question. The first kid hesitates, thinking of an answer. The second kid peeks over, notices their friend's response, and writes the same thing. The third kid follows suit. By the time the teacher collects the papers, half the class has identical answers. Sound familiar? That’s life. Most people don’t want to be the odd one out. Standing out feels risky, and blending in feels safe.

Society has conditioned us to play it safe. From childhood, we’re taught that following rules gets you gold stars, good grades, and a pat on the back. Thinking outside the box? That’s for rebels and risk-takers. And let’s be honest, not everyone wants to be that person. It’s exhausting to challenge the norm when the world hands you a ready-made formula for success.

And then there’s the fear factor. The fear of being different, the fear of failing, the fear of standing alone. Creativity is messy it invites criticism, judgment, and sometimes even mockery. Remember that one kid in school who dressed “differently” and got weird looks? Nobody wants to be that kid. So, we conform. We copy. We do what’s already proven to work because that’s the easy way out.

But here’s the real kicker success isn’t always in imitation. Sure, mimicking others might get you temporary validation, but true greatness comes from doing something new. Imagine if Shakespeare had just copied old folk tales instead of weaving his own masterpieces. Or if Steve Jobs had stuck to the standard instead of redefining technology. The legends we admire weren’t copycats; they were the ones brave enough to think differently.

And let’s talk about the digital world where originality seems to be on life support. Social media thrives on repetition. One viral trend, and suddenly, everyone’s recycling the same content. But have you ever stopped to think who started that trend? Who was the one who didn’t copy but created? Those are the real game-changers.

It’s easy to imitate. It takes guts to innovate. The next time you catch yourself following the crowd, pause. Ask yourself Am I just another echo, or am I creating my own voice? Because the world doesn’t need another clone. It needs something fresh. It needs something real. And maybe, just maybe, that could be you.