We often speak about “survival of the fittest,” but in today’s world, it feels more like “survival of the fakest.”
Somewhere along the way, stealing personalities, twisting narratives, and repackaging someone else’s hobbies as our own became a trend—dressed up as “connectivity.”
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Take this common scenario: You share that you love reading, painting, or even your newfound obsession with hiking. Suddenly, your “friend” or colleague miraculously develops the same passion. They project it to others as if it’s their long-standing trait. The irony? They’ve never opened a book cover-to-cover, held a paintbrush longer than 5 minutes, or stepped outside except for an airport check-in photo. But hey, it looks good on a bio or at a dinner table.
This isn’t admiration. It’s manipulation. A quiet theft, done not out of inspiration, but out of convenience—to look good, to belong, to gain social currency. And worse, it often comes wrapped in a smile and the excuse of “Oh, I just resonated with you.”
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Millennials (Yes, I still hold hope!) Gen Z and Gen Alpha—you are growing up in a digital society where personal data isn’t just your bank details or passwords. Your identity—your quirks, hobbies, beliefs, even your captions—has become currency. Protect it. Not every “like” or “same pinch” is genuine. Sometimes, it’s just someone taking notes to wear your skin in another room. Creepy, but true.
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Here’s the thing:
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Taking inspiration is healthy. We’ve all been inspired by someone’s journey, skill, or style. But inspiration comes with acknowledgement and gratitude.
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Stealing without appreciation is lazy. It’s like eating from someone else’s lunchbox and never admitting it, while praising your own cooking.
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Manipulation in the name of survival is unethical. If your survival depends on being someone else, maybe survival isn’t the real goal—you just want applause without the effort.
Toxic friends and colleagues thrive in this gray zone. They’ll keep you close, not out of genuine connection, but to feed off your originality. They use your hobbies, mannerisms, and even struggles as props in their own performance. For a while, it may look harmless—even flattering—but over time, it chips away at trust.
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And here’s the bigger warning: When children grow up without learning personal etiquette, these habits hardwire early. We teach them religion, math, and grammar, but do we teach them ethics of individuality?
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That it’s okay to admire but not okay to impersonate.
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That “borrowing” should come with credit.
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That authenticity beats temporary popularity.
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That stealing a personality is not just bad manners, it’s a form of quiet betrayal.
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Parents, teachers, mentors—this should sit right next to lessons on honesty, kindness, and responsibility. Because tomorrow’s professionals are today’s children, watching how we navigate friendships and workplaces.
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So, the next time someone says, “I love that too!” ask yourself: is it a bridge of genuine connection, or is it another photocopy attempt for their personal portfolio?
My two cents? Appreciate openly. Credit generously. Create authentically. That’s survival—with dignity.
Just a gentle note — this post is a reflection on patterns I’ve observed in friendships, workplaces, and society at large. If it feels relatable, maybe that’s the point. Take it as food for thought, not finger-pointing.
Would also like to know if anything offended you in this blog post.
You can reach me on amreenbanokhan@gmail.com.
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