# One thing the Internet has changed: your clever jokes and ideas are already taken! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 5, 2014, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941 "2014-01-05T11:41:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/1 "2014-01-05T11:41:52Z")
This happens to me all the time. I’ll come up with a funny joke or something. A pun. I pat myself on the back: “You funny guy!” But then I google the idea: Wuh whoa, it’s taken! Done. Often more than once. In the “good old days,” I would have remained in back-patting mode. Told the joke to others. No one would have known the difference. Now? No such luxury! Anyone else experience this? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/2 "2014-01-05T11:48:40Z")
I’m sure I’ve read this post on another board. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/3 "2014-01-05T11:50:10Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > I’m sure I’ve read this post on another board. And that one. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/4 "2014-01-05T11:50:29Z")
Yes. I’ve invented a few things I thought were brilliant, only to discover that someone already got there first. On the other hand, I’ve had a few ideas that, whilst not world-changing, look like they may have been original - if you google something and can’t find a trace of it, the chances are fair you’re the first to think of it. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/5 "2014-01-05T12:47:54Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Yes. I’ve invented a few things I thought were brilliant, only to discover that someone already got there first. > > On the other hand, I’ve had a few ideas that, whilst not world-changing, look like they may have been original - if you google something and can’t find a trace of it, the chances are fair you’re the first to think of it. Yep. It also works in that direction! ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/6 "2014-01-05T13:00:01Z")
After a big event, it’s amusing to see how many professional comedians tweet a variation on the same joke. While regular people often come up with better original ones. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/7 "2014-01-06T05:43:13Z")
As a kid, I remember coming up with the idea of hooking a modem to a video game console, as well as adding a disk drive. If we’d had the Internet back then, I’d have known both already existed in Japan with the Famicom. As for jokes, I’ve never cared that much if my joke was completely original. All that matters is the likelihood that my intended audience hasn’t heard it. And even that doesn’t matter all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/8 "2014-01-06T16:46:42Z")
I keep having awesome ideas about adorable things to crochet for my Etsy shop. But they’ve all been done! ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/9 "2014-01-06T19:06:42Z")
A dyslexic guy walked into a bra… ---
**Author:** ![Brynhildr\_Budladottir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Brynhildr\_Budladottir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynhildr_Budladottir)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/10 "2014-01-08T05:02:39Z")
Well [my story about the dwarven fence](http://http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=712201) (link to document in thread) hasn’t been done by someone else yet. 😃 I’ve actually searched for any other stories using that idea. There are none and very few Icelandic-based medieval fantasies (most are set in countries based on England). Strange given how much high fantasy is inspired by Norse mythology which was preserved in Iceland. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/11 "2014-01-08T07:37:29Z")
I invented (or thought I invented) _portka_, a cocktail combining port wine and vodka. Nope, someone else got there in 2007. I was, however, the first person on the internet to give the small, three-state area where Vermont and New Hampshire meet Massachusetts the name _Verhampsachusetts._ ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2014, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/12 "2014-01-08T12:51:04Z")
So you think you are the first person to notice this? > [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Ecclesiastes** 1:9 (from somewhere between 430 & 180 B.C.): > > What has been will be again, > what has been done will be done again; > there is nothing new under the sun. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/13 "2014-01-09T06:19:23Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > So you think you are the first person to notice this? > ☹ > [@](#): > > Originally posted by Ecclesiastes 1:9 (from somewhere between 430 & 180 B.C.): > > What has been will be again, > what has been done will be done again; > there is nothing new under the sun. More succinctly… ‘Been there, done that.’ 😛 D&R ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/14 "2014-01-09T08:19:52Z")
But we know that to be untrue. Someone invented the lightbulb, the digital watch, and Marmite ice cream. Right there and then, there _ **was** _ something new under the sun. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/15 "2014-01-09T15:49:29Z")
> [@Beware\_of\_Doug](#): > > I was, however, the first person on the internet to give the small, three-state area where Vermont and New Hampshire meet Massachusetts the name _Verhampsachusetts._ Masshiremont has a nice ring to it. Here’s my invention idea, because I hate mundane daily tasks like flossing. A machine you can put your face into which has scanned the inside of your mouth and knows the optimal way to floss, brush and rinse your teeth. It does it for you as you stand there. You can buy an enhancement that gives you a neck and shoulder massage as you wait. What do you think? Too expensive for the average household? ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/16 "2014-01-09T18:28:21Z")
> **[DUSIEC - Neck and Shoulder tapping Massager, haunch massager , buttock massager,...](https://www.amazon.co.uk/DUSIEC-Shoulder-Massager-massager-yourself/dp/B008CC4UWW)** > > DUSIEC - Neck and Shoulder tapping Massager, haunch massager , buttock massager, relax yourself when you tire : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care I’m waiting for this little baby to show up. If it’s strong enough I stuff a brillo pad in my mouth at the same time maybe I’m three quarters of the way to your invention **gigi** ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/17 "2014-01-09T18:38:23Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > As a kid, I remember coming up with the idea of hooking a modem to a video game console, as well as adding a disk drive. I’m not sure that trying to force a Hayes modem into the cartridge slot of your NES counts as innovation. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/18 "2014-01-09T19:03:29Z")
I’m pretty sure I was the first to write this gag: What do dyslexic zombies crave? Brians. Bri-i-i-i-i-ians! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/19 "2014-01-09T19:15:45Z")
I invented the term “brrr” to describe cold beer. It’s the one thing the Internet hasn’t taken from me. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941/20 "2014-01-09T19:44:28Z")
“Anything you can think of is already on the internet, and someone has found a way to profit from it.” I think that’s Jester’s law of Modern Creativity, but some close variant is probably already incorporated into some online marketing guide. The wife and I were lying in bed talking about llamas & zombies (because we’re really interesting in bed) and we both coughed up “zombie alpaca lips” at the same time. Away to the googler we went, and [sure enough](http://hoboninja.com/store/item.php?id=26285). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-thing-the-internet-has-changed-your-clever-jokes-and-ideas-are-already-taken/677941.md?page=2)