Can you quote a nobody?

2009-02-09T03:39:19Z

15 Kewpie points for editing in the correct answer.
(Kewpie points are not exchangable for Ningis)

Hint: "Are you William Blake?"

2009-02-11T00:13:58Z

Hint hint: The question about William Blake is a quote from a movie. The question about quoting a nobody was inspired by something someone wrote here. But after I asked it, I realized that it could be answered in the context of a certain movie.

I guess the moral of the story is: If you want to save Kewpie points, ask a movie question where people go to answer philosophy questions.

---

"An' I went to see the doctor of philosophy
with a poster of Rasputin and a beard down to his knees
He never did marry, or see a B-grade movie
He graded my perormance, he said he could see through me
I spent four years prostrate to the higher mind
got my paper and I was free"

- Indigo Girls

(a thought not intended for anyone here in particular, unless they think they deserve it)

2009-02-15T17:43:30Z

The question "Are you William Blake?" Was asked by "Nobody," a character in the Jim Jarmusch film DEAD MAN. Johnny Depp plays William Blake, an Eastern schooled Accountant in the old west seeking work, who is mistaken by Nobody for William Blake, the Poet.

"Some are born to sweet delight,
Some are born to endless night."

- William Blake

The movie has a few scenes of very unsettling imagery. So you have been warned.

I wasn't thinking of the movie when I asked the question, I was thinking of another question here, although I can't for the life of me remember what it was now. But I do think the most interesting thoughts are often tangents of others.

2009-02-15T17:49:36Z

I wondered if Spec Tac might have been twisting the meaning of the question by observing that we are all "nobody's" here. Since we all exist "here" without bodys as data streams, this would be true. That would have been a good answer, but wasn't spelled out as such.

Anonymous2009-02-09T03:05:50Z

Favorite Answer

What do you mean by nobody? If you mean nonexistent. Then sure

Lex Luther: "This is Lex Luthor. Only one thing alive with less than four legs can hear this frequency, Superman, and that's you."

Justice of the Poetical Piece2009-02-09T12:42:51Z

I think if you are quoting a "nobody" in written form ie a book or in a magazine or newspaper or even on the internet, it would be wise to state where the quote came from, just in case the "nobody" actually heard it from a "somebody". However, if you are going to say it is your quote then you may be sued for plagiarism.
Generalised quotes may be claimed as your own as long as when you are challenged you can back up where and how you came to say that quote. Tough question!
Example:
"A meal for one is a banquet" Quote by BinDiver

No, I am not William Blake.

Rindawg2009-02-09T11:13:06Z

Absolutely! If somebody says something quotable there is no reason why you shouldn't.

First check the quote online to make sure that it wasn't originally said by someone else. Also, be sure to take precautions when formatting the quote. Always explain the relationship you have to the person who said the quote in setting up your quotations. (Ex. As my good friend Austin once said, "Sometimes, the best thing you could do is stop caring.)

If it is a free standing quotation in a journal or quote book, maybe mention their relationship to you after their acknowledgment. (Ex. "When you run out of arguments, always remember that 'whatever' works in every situation." -My Aunt Caroline.)

If you don't know the name of who said your quote, remember that it is perfectly acceptable to quote them as 'Anonymous'. (Ex. "Courage is being the only person who knows you're scared to death," -Anonymous.)

the old dog2009-02-09T10:59:13Z

Yep!
I've quoted my aunt Eleanor a lot and no one knows who she was except for her immediate family and few friends.She's dead now and has been for a long time. But we are all growing old and dying off and soon enough ... no one will ever know about her because all that knew her will be dead as well because she is a nobody. Never the less I've quoted her often enough.

someg2009-02-09T11:32:00Z

Nobody is a nobody.

Nobody has an exclusive claim to wisdom, not even if they are somebody.

Nobody can not be quoted.

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