Recently, someone mentioned to me the troubles of being "imitated," and I want to say something different.
Sometimes, what seems like "plagiarism" is not actually about copying content, but rather about chasing your understanding.
Many people think that being imitated is something to brag about, but when others start to imitate you, it only signifies one fact:
The direction you have chosen has become an answer that others "have to reference."
The imitation that truly deserves attention is not the clumsy imitation of newcomers.
Instead, it is those who are originally more mature and have steadier paths; they start to express their views using your language; rewrite their systems with your rhythm; and even continue to expand their influence in the way you have pioneered.
This is not barefaced plagiarism, but you can feel that in those details, there is your shadow.
You may wonder: Aren't they starting earlier and are more capable than me? Why are they beginning to follow my path?
But you will gradually realize:
They are not falling behind; instead, you have reached a level that originally did not belong to you, but will ultimately belong to you.
That is a silent game between experts that can only be perceived by them.
They may not acknowledge you, but they begin to silently observe you.
They no longer care who you are, but value those "indispensable judgments" you have made.
At such times, what you should do is not shout out, not set limits, but softly tell yourself:
Continue.
Continue doing things that others do not understand, but you are sure of; keep walking those paths that have not yet been marked on the map; continue to carve your understanding at a height that others can only view from afar.
Because the further you go, the more they can only pick up the traces you leave behind.
You may not be the name they mention, but you have already become the variable they must pay attention to.
And this is more important than recognition.
