Through an examination of recurring patterns and themes of replication in popular culture, such as the trend of iconic fashion brands adopting a uniform sans-serif logo and formulaic narratives in the film industry, my thesis aims to explore the impact of this trend on creativity and originality by demonstrating it in three forms: “The Good,” “The Bad,” and “The Ugly.” Each volume features a curated collection of written works ranging from interviews, articles, and scholarly sources that offers a different perspective on the implications of replication.
“The Good,” “The Bad,” and “The Ugly” derives its title from the classic 1966 western film, signifying a tripartite division of a situation, object, or person into distinct categories. "The Good" represents the positive aspects of replication and is designed with properness in mind. Serving as the antithesis to the former, “The Bad” represents the negative aspects that come with replication and is designed to be the polar opposite of “The Good.” “The Ugly,” on the other hand, represents the morally ambiguous aspects of replication and offers a platform of neutrality.
While this trilogy aims to elicit a deeper understanding of replication’s impact on society among its readers, the project also sheds light on the moral and ethical complexities of this homogeneous trend and emphasizes the importance of making ethical decisions in regard to replication.