What say should writers have in product placement? Something for you to ponder via reader Susan Kirkland:

When I first read this, it made the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up. WHY in God's name, should a writer have anything to say about product placement? When I got to the second paragraph, the reporter described scripts that insert words into the character's mouth about the product. Then I understood. I quoted John Malkovich about how people are being more casual about the liberties they take with other people's work, and this is a prime example.

"Even John Malkovich, starring in his new film, Art School Confidential and an accomplished creative, must battle to maintain his artistic integrity as he introduces his new fashion line, Mrs. Mudd. From his interview in New York Magazine (05/05/06), he says, 'I'm still having quite a battle, frankly. I want it done the way I want it done, and until that happens I won't be happy. As I've said to my partner, if this was a play, you'd be in jail. You can't take a play someone has directed and do whatever you want with it. I don't know where they get that idea. I'd never do it to anybody.'"

It seems like it's: let's do whatever we can to eradicate the individual from the creative process--then they won't demand a cut of the profits because their contribution will no longer be recognized as their contribution. It will become the gray soup of CONSENSUS. Yuk. Or is it easier to make changes to someone else's work than it is to create your own? There are more cowards than creators in the world.