Arts & Culture
Originally published on Wednesday, 29th July 2009
The Sincerest Form of Flattery
Einstein once said, “The secret to creativity is disguising your influences successfully.” Undoubtedly true, but sometimes you just have to come out and say, “OK. So we slightly borrowed that idea.”
Take the forthcoming Park Bench Project. To give them their due – and Lord knows what Einstein would make of it – they’re open about their inspiration. “We loved the idea behind Anthony Gormley’s 4th Plinth – to give ordinary folk a chance to be represented – so we've nicked it. The twist is we're doing it on a park bench in a disused shop in Camden.”
As to whether The Accidental Billionaires (scribed by Ben Mezrich) counts as inspirational or just plain opportunistic is anyone’s guess. The only thing that’s clear is everyone’s trying to get laid in cringe-worthy Jackie Cooper-style passages of passion. But despite being written by the sort of person who thinks their sh*t don’t stink (self-satisfied Harvard Graduate), it’s actually quite funny and insightful.
Mind, you do have to wonder whether people who write a book about a site centred around people who tell you what type of cereal they had for breakfast need a life. As the great Withnail withered: “I have absolutely no interest in your family, and I fail to see why you should have any interest in mine.”
Still, go and sit on the Park Bench - it sounds nice.
