Right..my feelings exactly. It's better to post much less and be original.

@seobrian: If someone was adding their perspective, peppering the post with links to your/my original post, I'd likely welcome that, and I suspect some others would as well. Unfortunately, that's not the way it's typically happening.

@everyone: Just last night I discovered a site that ripped about 8 articles and images from me to create content for their new site. What sucks is there often is this mindset (in this case the person knows me) that it's OK to rip content within niches. Curious to know if this happens in the world of SEO as well.

This is more about style and structure than ripping of copy, Most copywriters will have a swipfile.  If you see an article titled "13 ways to get a date" that you know worked well you might change it to "13 ways to get that job" of course the rest of the article will be changed too.

Thanks Doolally, I see your point.

Marty 

I think the article is akin to another Sphinn article that discusses asks "Which blogging style are you?"  Seeing what voice, style and structure works for others is a great way to help your own blog

There are limitations of course, as no one will be able to completely capture the same style as, for example, the Onion.  Even if you do, most will see it as a rip off of the original. 

The best advice, as always, is to read as many diverse styles as possible and use bits and pieces towards your own unique voice.