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Scratching My Head in Wonder and Amazement...

Nov 23, '07 12:40 PM
for everyone

Woke up obscenely early today, excited as a kid on Christmas Day~!! (Actually, I was woken up by an SMS sent to my cellphone... turned out somebody else had checked today's "Guru" already while I was still deeeeeep in Slumberland~!!!)

Stumbled outta bed and forced my still-asleep brain to answer the oh-so-important question: "Where can I get a copy??" I need to see it WITH MY OWN EYES~!!

Ignoring the guards' stares (who actually looked quite shocked I was out and about so early in the morning HA HA HA), I spilled into a gas station's convenience store... nope, didn't see any newspapers there...

"Mai mii nangsuuphim, roo~??" (You don't have newspapers?) I asked the woman behind the cash register and she shook her head. Crap, I thought...

By this time I was staggering around Sukhumvit (why are there SO many people out on the street at this ungodly hour, I thought) when I spotted a 7-11 store. But nope, there were many tabloid magazines dedicated to dara (celebs) lifestyle and gossip, but still no newspapers...

Luckily, I spied an old man selling newspapers just a few steps away from 7-11... YES~!!!

"Looking for an advertisement, nhu?" the old man asked me quizzically, perplexed why I was flipping through the "Guru" with such energy and vigor.

"Erm... plau..." (Nothing...) I mumbled and quickly fished out some cash from my pocket and paid him.

Where's the acknowledgement, I thought... At first I thought my eyes weren't working properly coz I saw NOTHING that resembled anything like a formal acknowledgement/apology...

THEN I SAW IT (on page 8, the Ying Thai column).

This was written: "Having been writing for Guru for a while now, I find myself scouring various sources for ideas and inspiration. These sources range from fashion magazines such as Cosmo and Elle, TV shows and of course the Internet. Blogs such as www.streetsmart-sukhumvit.multiply.com always provide a wealth of information and story ideas." (closeup PIC below)

THAT WAS IT.

Not only was there no mention of Nikki plagiarizing my blog entry, she actually spelled my web address INCORRECTLY~!!! Omigod, THE HORROR~!!

(For the record, it's http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com NOT www.streetsmart-sukhumvit.multiply.com ~!!!)

Hmmmmmm... I couldn't help but wonder... was this done INTENTIONALLY~?! Why none of the mighty editors of the "Guru" even bothered to CHECK whether the URL was the correct one or not~?!

Tsk, tsk, tsk... somebody ain't doin' their job, huh buddy~~?? Turns out that the "Guru" (which wikipedia explains loosely means "teacher") ain't so "wise" after all~!!

To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement.

There was no mention of my blog entry being copied (not even the specific blog entry title).

There was no ADMISSION that one of the "Guru" articles published four months ago wasn't 100% genuine.

Plus, my blog address was also printed incorrectly.

I have no other choice but to contact the editor directly. I didn't contact her editor earlier because I wanted to give Nikki a chance to ADMIT it to her editor by herself first, coz I thought if it came from somebody else outside (ME), it would make her look worse - she's already naa taek (Thai slang meaning "broken face" = lose face) so I thought OK, better give her a chance to admit by herself to her editor... After all, it's better to admit by yourself rather than being pointed out by someone else, riiiiight? I was trying to be krengjai to her...

But I guess she's a lost cause.

So it's up to her editor now. I fired a long email to Khun Voranai, the "Guru" editor:

Dear Khun Voranai,

I am sure you have heard about me and my blog http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com, courtesy of Nikki Assavathorn, your unpaid contributor who plagiarized parts of her article "Is Beauty Only Skin Deep?" (published four months ago in both her blog http://nikkiblog.com/2007/07/23/is-beauty-skin-deep/#more-12 as well as "Guru" magazine vol. 3, no. 29, 20-26 July 2007) from my blog entry titled "The Issue of Skin Color" ( http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com/journal/item/6/The_Issue_of_Skin_Color).

Khun Nikki has made changes in her blog entry, so I've considered that matter closed now. However, I'd asked her to make a formal acknowledgement regarding her article in the "Guru". I didn't contact you earlier because I wanted to give Khun Nikki a chance to admit this BY HERSELF, because I felt that if it were coming from an outside source (ME), it would look worse for her.

However, after seeing what she wrote today, I feel that I MUST write to you to explain the situation. I have in my hands today's copy of the "Guru" magazine, and I have to say that I am very disappointed with what I see. Not only didn't she ADMIT that she stole my words and tried to pass them off as her own, she (or was it the editors of "Guru"?) couldn't even spell my blog's URL properly. For the record, it is NOT www.streetsmart-sukhumvit.multiply.com It's http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com I hope this is an honest editorial mistake and it will be corrected soon.

Now to the other more pressing issue. I am not saying that I have the monopoly of discussing skin color issues (or any other issues, for that matter). This issue of Asians being obsessed with being fair-skinned while Westerners want to be darker has been discussed by countless other writers.

What I find to be galling is that Khun Nikki took my words, changed them a little bit (but not well enough so it was still obvious she plagiarized from me ) and tried to pass them off as her own words. This is plagiarism . She is free to talk about ANY issue, but the WORDS that she uses must be her original words, not taken from other sources. If she wishes to use other people's words, she must acknowledge her sources, otherwise it's plagiarism, which is a crime.

Perhaps you're familiar with what happened to the writer named Kaavya Viswanathan, who was caught plagiarizing from other writers?

Read it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaavya_Viswanathan
Both she and Khun Nikki did the same thing - took other people's words, changed them a little bit and tried to pass them off as their own words. Is this plagiarism? You bet it is. As a result, Kaavya Viswanathan's book deal was scrapped.

I have posted pictures of the "Guru" magazine's article, as well as the exact words that Khun Nikki took from my blog here:

http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com/photos/album/36/I_FINALLY_Got_It

In today's "Guru" magazine, there was only a brief mention of how Khun Nikki views my blog (with the URL spelled incorrectly) as a "source of inspiration". This is NOT an admission, nor a formal acknowledgement that one of her published "Guru" articles wasn't genuine. In her earlier email to me (when I pointed out that one of her blog entries was plagiarized from mine), Khun Nikki was very apologetic. She ADMITTED that she copied my words. However, I see a markedly different tone with today's article in "Guru". Not only did she spell my blog's URL incorrectly (and none of the editors in "Guru" even bothered to CHECK whether this was the correct URL), her flippant tone indicated that my blog only "inspires" her. There was no mention of her copying my words at all.

I am sorry to bother you with this long email, but I feel that I have been misled by Khun Nikki. I was under the impression that she would ADMIT that some of the words of her published "Guru" articles weren't genuinely hers (and to at least spell my blog's URL correctly).

I am respectfully requesting that you exercise your editorial power and make sure that what needs to be done is done.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely Yours,

http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com

Siiigh~~ I HAD hoped that this issue would be closed today, so I can continue writing about Sukhumvit stuff, but y'know what? To hell with this... Whether or not I get my measly formal acknowledgement-slash-apology-slash-correct spelling of my blog's address... I am just gonna continue with writing about REAL Sukhumvit stuff...

Can't help it if others (who call themselves so-called "journalists" BAH) don't take plagiarism seriously~!!

* at least now I have a whole magazine to use as tissue paper...

** NOTE: Don't know what the hell am I babbling about? Rewind here:

http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com/journal/item/66

And continue reading here:

http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com/photos/album/36

Repeat the GURU MANTRA: "Imitation is the best form of flattery"

streetsmartsukhumvit@gmail.com

sukhumvit

bangkok

thailand

Tags: plagiarism, annoying, rant, guru magazine, nikki blog, bangkok post, sukhumvit, bangkok, thailand, blog, information, press

Prev: I've Been Plagiarized~!!!!!!!!!!
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28 CommentsChronological Reverse Threaded

iampack wrote on Nov 23, '07

they are trying to fix this but did not take care enough, like say sorry and walk away when some1 step on your feet.

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07

iampack said

they are trying to fix this but did not take care enough, like say sorry and walk away when some1 step on your feet.

Nah... what they did is equal to stepping on your feet and then saying, "Your feet are so beautiful that I couldn't help but step on them" - I don't see the word 'SORRY' written anywhere, la... Plus, spelling my blog's URL wrongly ain't gonna score 'em any brownie points with me...

iampack wrote on Nov 23, '07

you are so funny ahaha

captainsensible wrote on Nov 23, '07

Go gal. Go gal. Go gal. Hooray for SSS.

noelkid wrote on Nov 23, '07

As I said, keep fighting!

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07

How bout zis DRAMATIC pose:

noelkid wrote on Nov 23, '07

hahahaha.......Can SA help you in this case?

carcrasheart21 wrote on Nov 23, '07

there are so many fake people on the earth...

peggyypy wrote on Nov 23, '07

jai yen yen or may end up with BTS lines on forehead... If she has the real talent let's watch wat else she will write in the future

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07

noelkid said

hahahaha.......Can SA help you in this case?

Gosh, how I WISH~!! SA and her superior muay thai skills (and sharp elbows) would be sooo handy~!! Unfortunately her specialty is helping tourists in distress... I'm afraid I'm gonna have to rely on earthly beings in handling this sticky case... SHUCKS...

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07

carcrasheart21 said

there are so many fake people on the earth...

SIGH~ you can say that again~!! Fake people who won't admit they're fake are even WORSE...

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07

peggyypy said

If she has the real talent let's watch wat else she will write in the future

You mean "let's see if she plagiarizes from other people", right?? HAHAHAHAHAAAA... She could be a "serial plagiarizer"... Wouldn't be surprised... (* wink wink *)

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07, edited on Nov 23, '07

Got a reply email from Khun Voranai:

"Hi Street, Nikki did write a formal apology, but as she's a 'guest writer' I felt that the apology in the magazine would be inappropriate, so I used an 'acknowledgement' instead. As she is not a representative of the Magazine, I feel that it would be inappropriate for us to be a party to this issue. However, I understand your frustration and to put the matter to rest, would you be okay if we do a separate write-up to publicize your blog? Then we can all live and let live, it's a beautiful day.

cheers,"

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm................................

1). So where is this "formal apology/acknowledgement"? I've never seen it... And the one printed in today's article is certainly NOT it.

2). So WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY is it ANYTHING that's written by Nikki if it weren't Guru's?! Sounds like Khun Voranai is trying to wash off this Nikki problem from his hands... The fact remains that Nikki DOES write for the "Guru", and one of her articles WAS not genuine. An EDITOR's job is to make sure that journalistic professionalism is upheld.

3). Khun Voranai, you conveniently sidestepped the fact that my blog's URL was spelled INCORRECTLY in today's Guru~!! Whose responsibilty is THIS one~??

(* scratches head again *)

Tsk, tsk, tsk... It's like pulling teeth just trying to get a simple "SORRY" from these people~!!

noelkid wrote on Nov 23, '07

Since GURU is a Bangkok Post's magazine, I suggest you write to The Nation instead. hehe....just kidding...

After reading the reply, I think you can't expect anything more from them. It seems they are the same kind of irresponsible person. You should complain to The Thai Journalist Association, The Writers Association of Thailand and The Department of Intellectual Property.

alternative options - go to Thai Rath or Daily News or TITV

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07

noelkid said

Since GURU is a Bangkok Post's magazine, I suggest you write to The Nation instead.

HAHAHAHAAAA~~ Believe it or not, that thought DID cross my mind~!!

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07

noelkid said

After reading the reply, I think you can't expect anything more from them. It seems they are the same kind of irresponsible person. You should complain to The Thai Journalist Association, The Writers Association of Thailand and The Department of Intellectual Property.

alternative options - go to Thai Rath or Daily News or TITV

You took the words out of my mouth, Noel... I've NEVER heard of an editor claiming NO RESPONSIBILTY for anything a contributor (regardless whether the contributor is a paid one or not) has written~!! He didn't even respond to my complaint that my blog's address wasn't even printed correctly~!! Last time I checked, it was an editor's JOB to make sure everything measures up to professional journalism standard before being printed and distributed... If the editor isn't responsible for this, then WHO IS~??! Hahahaha... toooo funnyyyy~~

Honestly, I thought Khun Voranai was joking in his email at first... Then I just realized he's more interested to "live and let live" la-la-laaaa "it's a beautiful day" than making sure his magazine doesn't end up as the laughingstock of Bangkok's lifestyle magazines.

I can already imagine the folks at the "BK" magazine (which the "Guru" always seems to shamelessly copy, by the way - looks like COPYING is a bad but entrenched habit of the "Guru" hah hah) slapping their knees in delight and high-fiving each other...

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions, Noel~!! I'll certainly try them~!!

kamenashifan wrote on Nov 23, '07

I prefer to think that everyone has some integrity in them
but this nikki person
she doesn't seem to be very honest
when I read the "APOLAGY" I was wait that's not right *the mistaken dash made it so obvious* maybe if it were a B not a V then you would think hmm maybe its a typo but a dash come on there not even close on the keyboard
unless the person typing it has giant hands
anyways ne I think she did it on purpose and that you did a good job sending that letter
its for their own good anyways
if they don;t watch it they could end up in jail
Toilet paper hehe :)

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 23, '07

kamenashifan said

when I read the "APOLAGY" I was wait that's not right *the mistaken dash made it so obvious* maybe if it were a B not a V then you would think hmm maybe its a typo but a dash come on there not even close on the keyboard
unless the person typing it has giant hands

You put it beautifully. But this also shows how ignorant the magazine's editor is as well. It's soooo EASY to check whether a web address is the correct one or not, right? ANY editor with half a brain would check.
I am also scratching my head in wonder and amazement WHY this magazine is so NOT WILLING to just give in and ADMIT mistakes. Other (better established, more respected) publications see NO PROBLEMS in just admitting mistakes, apologizing and moving on... but THIS one seems to have a REAL PROBLEM with it.

kamenashifan wrote on Nov 23, '07

yup very right
specially sense the magazine its some sort of teacher
they should be teaching how to be honest instead of hot to get in jail and without a job
but people like that are not worth the time
why listen to people who you can't even trust any word that comes out of their mouth
just hope that the editor has more sense

bluesky111 wrote on Nov 23, '07

I think this whole story has in a way shown a face of society and people we have nowadays. It is sad to note but it seems that many people have lost sight of ethics, honesty and respect for others just so they could protect their self interests. Do what you will, but I am now looking forward to laughing again and having fun with your usual Sukhumvit stuff, as you have promised to continue with that soon. Smile!

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 24, '07

bluesky111 said

I am now looking forward to laughing again and having fun with your usual Sukhumvit stuff, as you have promised to continue with that soon. Smile!

NO WORRIES~~!!

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 25, '07

I've successfully distracted myself from this mess for a while (thank the heavens for Loy Krathong~!!).

But by no means am I gonna let this issue be swept under the carpet~!! After the Loy Krathong hangover passed... It's time to go back to the war zone~!!

Sent another email to Khun Voranai:

Dear Khun Voranai,

Thank you for your message.

So where is this formal "acknowledgement" Khun Nikki wrote that you speak of? I have never seen it. Khun Nikki's article on Friday was certainly neither an acknowledgement nor an apology, as she did not ADMIT that she plagiarized from me.

What's more, you didn't address my complaint that my blog's URL was printed incorrectly in Khun Nikki's latest "Guru" article. It's http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com NOT www.streetsmart-sukhumvit.multiply.com . This has caused irreparable damage, as readers of "Guru" who would type in the incorrect web address would be taken to a page telling them that this user does not exist.

I will be expecting a correction regarding my blog's address in the next edition of "Guru".

I also find it incredulous that you, as the EDITOR of "Guru", is trying to wash your hands off the plagiarized article that WAS published in the "Guru". Guest writer or not, Khun Nikki WRITES for "Guru", and it is your responsibility to make sure that ANYTHING published in the "Guru" is honest and accurate. You might say that she doesn't represent the magazine, but what she's done (using plagiarized words in her article in the "Guru") has also harmed the magazine, as now all your readers are aware that the "Guru" is allowing unscrupulous, unprofessional people who have neither journalistic experience nor any ideas about journalistic ethics to write for your magazine. The credibility of the "Guru" is at stake here.

I am not asking for any monetary compensation. I am not even aiming to publicize my blog. I am only asking for the "Guru" to ADMIT that one of its articles was not genuine and that the (guest) writer plagiarized it from someone else. And I am also expecting that my blog's URL would be printed CORRECTLY.

I assure you that the "Guru" has nothing to lose by doing what I'm asking. Other publications have no qualms about admitting mistakes, apologizing and making amends.

Only then can I, by your own words - "live and let live it's a beautiful day".

Thank you for your attention and understanding.

>>>sSs<<<
http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com

noelkid wrote on Nov 25, '07

Hurray!!!!!!!!! I hope you get a better response from Khun Voranai.

kradsinoda wrote on Nov 26, '07

I hope they start to take you seriously because most parts of the Thai society seems to think plagiarism IS "inspiration". Keep fighting...if all else fails, you can print out a copy of your blog, Nikki's blog, the editor's letters and distribute it for free on the streets and then I think Guru might just cry.
M.T. (following your epic adventure from the RIS Facebook group) ;)

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 26, '07

kradsinoda said

Keep fighting...if all else fails, you can print out a copy of your blog, Nikki's blog, the editor's letters and distribute it for free on the streets and then I think Guru might just cry.

What a SPLENDID idea~!!! I'll keep that in my "arsenal", along with my other "big guns" heh heh~!!!

streetsmartsukhumvit wrote on Nov 29, '07

Sorry for not updating on this oh-so-very-crucial topic~!!
Here's the latest:
http://streetsmartsukhumvit.multiply.com/journal/item/81/Blood_on_the_Street?replies_read=1

Comment deleted at the request of the thread owner.

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