link with love

Kal Barteski is one of my very favorite artists. She has an amazing website and blog here. I'm moved by her work because it is centered in love and generosity. Her work makes me feel - it's emotional for me. It reminds me that there's so much joy and beauty in the world. 

Recently she's been struggling to make sure that her art is protected and respected. I've experienced the same struggle with my work. In fact, a few months ago someone transcribed my entire TEDx talk  and posted it on their blog with the title, "My thoughts on vulnerability and leadership." I would have never known if it hadn't been for the 50 tweets and emails from people saying, "You better take a look." 

To address this issue of accepting, respecting and protecting our work, Kal has started LINKwithlove. 

Here's how Kal explains this movement:

"It is our goal to inspire positive change in the way art, photography, design, words, music, film and ideas are shared on the internet. We believe that intellectual property needs to be handled with love and respect. We believe in the goodness of people. We believe in the power of the internet. We believe that Maya Angelou was absolutely right when she said "when you know better you do better."

LINKwithlove is the idea that by banding together in a 'neighbourhood watch' type way - we, the internet, could teach and learn respect when dealing with intellectual property online. It is our dream that art, music, photography, words, design, ideas, etc - be shared in a way that is respectful, educated and kind.

By teaching and supporting the proper ways to share intellectual property - we will make a difference."

All I can say is "I'm in!"

You can join us by:

Putting a badge on your site

Liking the page on Facebook

Keeping your eyes and heart open! Sometimes we get inspired and forget to attribute our inspirations. It happens to all of us. When I do it, tell me. Don't yell at me or shame me - just tell me. I want to know.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on accepting, respecting and protecting! Why is it important to you?

Comments

[Whitney Johnson]

Linked on Facebook and on my personal blog.

I had forgotten about Kal's work -- even though I have one of her "You are Loving + Kind" posters hanging on my daughter's door.

Loved your TEDx talk -- so glad I am in your orbit.

[Christine @ Coffees & Commutes]

I love all the amazing things you introduce me to. I'm in! Off to do my part.

[Debi]

This is such an important post! I am just finished my MSW and about to hand in my research paper. It's been a very emotional journey as I've written about some very painful things. I've included some very personal, and very emotional art work pieces and I have been struggling about 1) sharing them and being vulnerable and 2) having someone "steal" them. I appreciate "accept, respect and protect" ... Thank you! I continue to be inspired by your work :)

[Lisa@Practically Intuitive]

I'm definitely in!

It's a good thing to acknowledge the work of others as it's contributed to your own growth. I'm all about the linkage!

Thanks for the head's up, Brene. :)

[Kim @CoexistingWCI]

Great idea! As a new author, blogger and hopeful speaker (one day) I'm always wondering how my information is going to be "shared." Plus, I'm in the process of putting together a 10-part video series and have seen some great examples of how others have accomplished this, but I don't want to step on anybody elses toes. I love their work, respect their work, study their work, and try to emulate their work; but I don't want to steal their work.

[Sean Cox]

Thanks for this info. Kal's work is beautiful.

[Roberta]

There is a means to prevent anyone from removing something from your website. At the blog, http://lovingforaliving.blogspot.com/, she has a code one can put in your HTML which prevents any removal unless approved by the blogger.
I have pondered this. My site is not often visited, I don't have TED talks nor am I an A-list blogger but I go with Leo on this: my blog is open source. If someone wants to use what I say, all I ask is they credit me and hopefully link back. I will happily put Kai's link on my blogs as reminders to please link back when using any material. Thanks for helping me to be respectful. Sometimes I have an abundance of links so I can cretit and point others to those who help me and my dogs. Link on!

[Marian]

As a choral conductor who is blessed to work frequently with scores by living composers, I say a huge 'brava' to this Link With Love idea! Whether on a blog, or website or YouTube page, I totally support protecting, respecting and crediting any creative artist and their work. Thanks for this posting, Brene!

[Penny]

Thanks Brene for being brave enough to offer your years of research out there. Truth is people who 'hijack' other's stuff and pass it off as their own are either not original thinkers or to insecure to give credit to another. I am sorry this happened to you. I am proud to quote you, and give proper citation to you as a fellow academic. Keep on thinking, writing and teaching for the rest of us who are 'accepting, respecting, & protecting'.

[Sara Savel]

I love this idea. Posted a link with love badge on my blog. To remind myself and others to give credit where credit is due!

[Adele O'Keefe]

This is one reason I want you to sell some of the posters you post on this site... or the quotes that are artfully posted. I adore them and want them to be in my office/home, but want to credit you or the source of the quote... can you consider it?

Thank you for sharing your heart - and ideas!

[Brené]

Adele - you read my mind! Something is in the works!

[Beth]

Thanks for always opening our eyes!

I've linked here:
http://livingfromyourheart.blogspot.com/

With gratitude,
Beth

[stephanie]

thank you so much for sharing this...it's astounding to me how many "magpies" are out there, copying and pasting pretty, shiny things (that happen to be others' work!) to their own sites without giving credit, or taking a moment to ask permission. it can be flattering, but very very frustrating too.

i appreciate your efforts, and kal's too...keep on, and the internet will be a better and more courteous place. xx stephanie

[Nancy]

My mouth hung open at the thought that someone would actually DO THAT!!! I have grabbed the button and posted about this issue on my blog: http://pomegranatetrail.blogspot.com/
Thank you Brene for all of the work you do!

[Kafferty Lafferty]

I don't have any original thoughts about respecting and protecting each other's work. However, I would like to share a link to a very interesting lecture by Laurence Lessig:

http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=3724

He starts out by saying that piracy is wrong, don't do it. Then he goes on for the better part of an hour talking about how late 19th century copyright laws are hurting creatie potential in 21st century society.

There is a middle way. (And it most certainly does not entail copying someone else's lecture and claiming it as your own!) We just have to find it.

[Theresa, One Moment One Life]

This is a fantastic idea and a very, very good reminder. I am inspired a great deal by the things that I read and always try to link to the appropriate author, book, blog... But sometimes in our excitement we forget. Or, in my case, Lupus it'self makes remembering difficult! Thank you for introducing me to this and giving me the opportunity to take part!

[Melissa Taylor]

I've had so many posts stolen recently and like you, it's readers who have told me. I've signed up for free copyright protection services but they don't seem to be working. I just will never understand why people can justify stealing someone else's work, art, photographs, thinking.

Thanks, I hope this helps all of us who write from the heart, with integrity, our own thoughts.

Melissa
http://imaginationsoup.net

[Pam Hogeweide]

That's awful that someone plagiarized your talk. Dang.

I've been blogging for five years. My readership is modest but growing and though I don't really worry about being plagiarized, it is definitely a reality in the wild, wild west of the internet frontier.

I have thrown a badge up which for me says alot as I like to keep my blog clutter free.

LOVED that there were a lot of colors to choose from..thanks for the heads up!

[Helene]

I love the Link With Love Project! Put a button on my site this weekend too.
I truly hope that one day you are finally in my neck of the woods though! (SC) :)

[JodieR]

Thanks for this link. I'm excited to see that there is a page being developed for teachers. As a teacher of online courses, I understand the importance of educating students about ethical use of the internet. Too often we assume that students know how to properly give credit to where it is due. More importantly, students need to consider not just how, but why credit should be given, and this sites motto: ACCEPT, RESPECT, PROTECT is a great way to frame this whole topic.

[Liz Elliott]

There is so little originality in our world; it is crucial that we honor, respect, and acknowledge those who strive to express themselves in truly individual ways. It is even more important that we honor those who inspire us through their creations.

Bravo to all those inspired, courageous, and unique individuals we "meet" on this site. I am refreshed every time I log on.

[edustory]

I talk aout you or paraphrase you on my blog, especially since you were my inspiration to start the blog. But I do always mention your name...hope that's ok :) I just do it so that others could be led back to your work.

[melissa]

Great idea! Just put a badge on my new blog... Thank you!
BTW, never commented on your blog before, but the first Ted talk video of yours changed my life. no joke. I've bought your books and love them. Thank you for helping all of us to reconnect to the best part of ourselves.

[Erica]

Great idea! Thanks for this link.

http://www.homeownerinsurancequoter.com

[Cathy | Treatment Talk]

Great idea. It is discouraging when you put in the hard work to create something and with a cut and paste it is used by someone else. I will help out as well. Thanks.

[Saba @ Less is More (Fun)]

Putting myself out there on the internet can make me feel so vulnerable. It means so very much to me when someone tells me something I wrote was encouraging, inspiring or funny (that's my favorite actually). I love the opportunity to tell something either by linking to their inspirational post, or commenting on their blog, that their work touched me in some way. If nothing else, it's a selfish hope that they'll keep putting themselves out there for me to enjoy! :)

[Michael Shane]

It's a shame that people don't read other people's work, digest it, discard or apply it and come up with their own experiences and have the courage to live their own lives. I saw your TED talk on facebook, loved it so much I linked to it in one of my blogs and also linked to this site. The process was simple and I'm sharing a piece of work that influenced me with anyone who cares to read it.
I was really surprised to find that someone would transcribe your work and steal it, I can only imagine that they're not living a 'whole-hearted life'! (I bought your book after I saw your TED talk).
Anyhoo, I'm in the process of working out how to put the badge on my web page as I fully support anyone who has the courage to put their thoughts out there.
I am new to your work but love it so please keep it up!
:-)

[Michael Shane]

It's a shame that people don't read other people's work, digest it, discard or apply it and come up with their own experiences and have the courage to live their own lives. I saw your TED talk on facebook, loved it so much I linked to it in one of my blogs and also linked to this site. The process was simple and I'm sharing a piece of work that influenced me with anyone who cares to read it.
I was really surprised to find that someone would transcribe your work and steal it, I can only imagine that they're not living a 'whole-hearted life'! (I bought your book after I saw your TED talk).
Anyhoo, I'm in the process of working out how to put the badge on my web page as I fully support anyone who has the courage to put their thoughts out there.
I am new to your work but love it so please keep it up!
:-)

[Nancee]

Thanks for the great post & link. Good stuff. I think the internet has blurred a lot of lines. I share a lot of stuff & try to be conscious of attributing it to the right source.

But to transcribe a whole (TEDtalk) & post it as their own?! That is inconceivable to me.

Love your work & share it (as yours :)
a lot.

[Katherine O.]

Brene,
I started a blog with inspiration from your life changing work. After reading your "Link With Love" post, I went back and added links to your website and books to every single post where I reference your work. My blog has always had a link to your work, but not the individual posts...so now they do. I definately want to give you credit for your ideas, research and work. I have embraced them, but they are not my own.

Thanks for all you do. My life is so much better now that I am learning to embrace my imperfection. :)

[Kimberlee McElfresh]

Brene' - thank you so much for sharing all that you do and it totally blows my mind that someone really thought they could just copy your work and claim as their own - guess that old college drill about plagiarizing things didn't make it's point with them? I knew anytime I was writing papers, etc. that I better be very very careful about what I personally wrote and how I quoted anything from anyone else (of course with the proper APA format..:-(...). Oddly enuf, I recenlty met a woman who had heard you on some of the TED events - I sent her the link to your site and she's a happy camper now too. Again, thanks for all that you share.

[Mary]

Brene, I quote you often, in e-mails and Facebook, and I always give you credit because I want my friends to get to know and benefit from your work. You and your work are transforming my life (at age 61!). I figure if I drop your name and your quotes often enough, people will start investigating. Also, if I have the courage to live whole-heartedly, they'll want to know where I learned about it, and will want some of that for themselves.

For someone to steal your words and thoughts about vulnerability is the antithesis of what you write and teach. How could that person not see that? Taking another person's work without giving them credit is like stealing a part of their mind and heart.

I'm so sorry it happened to you. You deserve better. You're bringing light to a lot of people.
Mary

[Craigslist Alabama Autos]

Good to see this terrific placement from your side. Keep updating us in the same way..Most of the people always try to search out such type of info. Try to share more in the future too

[starrlife]

I'm totally in and love the love this is done with! On another note- I am going to get to see you speak at the Vermont NASW conference in September (what a great time to be in Vermont!). I will hope to meet you IRL and certainly shake your hand but mostly I can't wait to be inspired by you. I just can't wait!

[Mita Vogel]

Thanks for this post. And thanks for your work, your insight and your links to others- What you have put out there is fundamentally linking to me and changing me.... pretty wild.

I am a social worker/trainer/teacher/story teller.... I use my life and work experience throughout my work as I am working with students, clients, children, parents, etc. I have to say where is comes from, if I don't I devalue the life, the experience, of the person that allowed me to share that experience with them. It makes me angry when I hear others using "my stuff" without asking and without giving credit where credit is due- as for us social workers, it even comes down to an ethical violation.....

By the way- your TED talk on vulnerability has become a staple as the start of my class on on clinical work with families and child maltreatment- it is the jumping off point for discussion about being vulnerable as a clinician all the way through making policy for children and families that takes vulnerability to policy. Thank you. Rock on. And I LOVE THE COOKIE APPROPRIATION STORY!!!
So there with you on that one.....

[Erica]

For someone to steal your words and thoughts about vulnerability is the antithesis of what you write and teach. How could that person not see that? Taking another person's work without giving them credit is like stealing a part of their mind and heart. I'm so sorry it happened to you. You deserve better. You're bringing light to a lot of people.
http://www.checkinsurancequotes.com

[Josh]

I read your blog for inspiration on a regular basis. I think your work is absolutely amazing, and the way you write brings your point across (for me) in a very user-friendly way. Some people say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. I say that credit given where credit is due is just a way to respect people (like you) who help to change people's persectives. Thank you for all you write and I look forward to reading more.

[Lupus Symptoms]

It's always great to see others providing important information about the <a href="http://www.howdoyougetlupus.com">lupus</a> disease. Living with <a href="http://www.howdoyougetlupus.com">lupus symptoms</a> is difficult, but not impossible. Thanks!

[anglababy]

Brene '- ne yapmak ve tamamen birisi gerçekten de sadece kendi gibi iş ve iddia kopyalamak inandığım aklımı alıyor tüm paylaştığınız için çok teşekkür ederim - şeyler kopyalamakla hakkında bu eski kolej matkap ile bakış yapmadım sanırım bunları? Ben daha ne şahsen yazdı ve nasıl (doğru APA biçimi .. :-( ... tabii) başka kimseden bir şey dedi. Gariptir enuf konusunda çok çok dikkatli olması evrak, vs yazıyordu her zaman biliyordu ben recenlty TED bazı olaylar size duyduğum bir kadınla tanıştım - Onu sitenize link gönderdi ve o da şimdi mutlu bir kamp var Yine, bütün paylaştığınız için teşekkü
http://www.goodnikefree.com