>My point is, that one of the -other- benefits of having a breadth of knowledge, is that it helps prevent unintentional derivativeness and mimicry. I could not

>My point is, that one of the -other- benefits of having a breadth of knowledge, is that it helps prevent unintentional derivativeness and mimicry. I could not disagree more on the last part. Derivation and mimicry are the very foundation of creativity. Good artists copy. They take from whatever inspires them. In fact, there is no art that doesn't copy - you will not find art that exists in the void. Everyone stands on the shoulders of giants. And that's a good thing.