I am not 100% sure, but I think it was my father who taught me that 2 + 2 = 4. However, I could have learned it from a book. My son has beginner math books and constantly surprises me with new things he has learned. I know that E=mc2 was derived by the twentieth-century physicist Albert Einstein. His work was published in mathematical journals and is still being quoted today. Einstein learned to protect his work. He would publish his findings in journals, a practice still recognized by many industries, or patent the idea, thus claiming specific rights.
In the race to prove ownership, lawyers created intellectual property. Most record companies, movie studios like Disney, and other companies that hire creative people protect their work under this law. Copyrights, trademarks, and registration markers are displayed, informing the public that works, pictures, and ideas are protected.
New generations of artists are flourishing on YouTube and, like Uncle Miltie, are having the problem of generating new material. Milton Berle needed new material weekly, and the only way to get fresh material was to take it from others, change it up a bit, and present it live on TV. Seen by the masses, unlike the comedian working the nightclub, Uncle Miltie was considered a creative genius to the public. Yet, Milton Berle was despised by comedians whose material he freely used without giving them credit as the creative force behind the idea.
At some point, Kleenex went from being a company brand to a generic term. Any company can use the word Kleenex for profit without recourse. I am sure the person who invented the bolt and nut would love to get a percentage of every product made that uses these products. Still, some things are so generic that you will never get credit or financial payment for being the product developer.
The balloon industry is struggling with Artists trying to protect their ideas, designs, and figures. The conundrum comes about as other copyrights, trademarks, and registrations protect many of the ideas being produced. Artists like to be creative, and few would fully document a design, write a paper on how their design differs structurally and mechanically, and research all those who precede their idea. It reminds me of a Master’s Thesis paper you would write for college. In the end, somebody reads the thesis, writes a summary, and publishes the “findings” as their work.
The sad fact is that most, if not all, the balloon twists have been created. The number of new designs will be rehashes of old designs with a new twist. Those seeking popularity will ignore past research and claim glory for themselves. The other sad part is that this is an ethical battle, and since money, fame, and popularity are involved, it will never be resolved.
I agree with most of what is being said here, except the ending about fame and money. There’s not a whole lot to be made making balloons in any fashion 🙂 It’s not fair to reckon Einstein, only. Aristotle, Socrates, Franklin, Tesla… how far can it be taken? Who invented the wheel? Credit should be given where credit is due. Unfortunately, there are people who don’t know where original ideas came from, and that group will only continue to grow, considering the nature of history. Are people as brilliant as we are told? I sure hope so, but all the small advancements in technology and art are overlooked by most of us. There is a brilliant mind behind all that we see, but do we know their names? It’s hard to protect an art that only lasts a moment. I honestly think that the peers of a time are the only true defenders of an art, but are we here to share, or to keep to ourselves? BTW I think a lot of you tubers are way out of line, but eventually it all becomes “common knowledge”… at least that’s how one of them said it
Eric, money is there. Many people have business, hire employees, and make a living doing balloons. Is their a multimillion dollar act in balloon? No, but who would think a guy with a puppet could make so much money?
http://thelaughbutton.com/news/forbes-releases-list-highest-earning-comedians-people-ventriloquists/
I listed Einstein, he was the first to pop into my head, plus I cannot tell you what Aristotle, Socrates, Franklin, or Tesla were know for. E=mc2 is quite popular 🙂
The problem is not making the “balloon art” is the process people want to protect, or at least get credit for.
You say “common knowledge”, but for the newbies in the industry, this is new information, and not common knowledge. If it was common, they would be watching it 🙂
thanks for commenting.
My response was rather dry but was lathered in sarcasm. I know there is money to be made, that was really a joke on myself. I only mentioned other brilliant minds to draw a parallel, making a point that the process of twisting should be revered. Yet, at the same time making the point that many will never know who created the processes i.e. you said you do not know what Tesla is known for. I like to flip the coin to see both sides and I like to ask questions. Don’t they make you think rather than just reading straight forward information? See you’re thinking about it now, or are you? 🙂 My concern is that eventually, the influential people pioneering balloon art are forgotten and thats why the peers of a time are the only defenders. The common knowledge thing is a joke I use. I once saw a tutorial video teaching how to make a creation that is very well known and well known is the creator, but the person twisting in the video had no clue who made it and called it common knowledge. I burst into laughter. It’s ok to post how to twist others creations on youtube, so long as it’s common knowledge. Good chat! (pats Dale on the shoulder)