Like millions of other jingoists (USA! USA! USA!), I’ve intensely (and tensely) watched the Olympics these past few days. I’ve marveled at the precision of siamese diving, gasped at the flailing flesh of water polo, and oohed at the total domination of Brazil’s national soccer team and Michael Phelps, the Brazil of swimming. Whether it’s been in the pool or on the pitch, I’ve also found myself somewhat drawn to the familiarness of the Beijing 2008 logo. With its thick, black, curvy lines and handwritten/calligraphy-like style, I can’t help being reminded of some other typeface. Luckily, the Beijing logo has been visible from almost every camera angle seen during the games so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to jog my declining memory.

Finally, it struck me.

Upon closer examination, I realize they’re far from identical — at least apart from the thick, black, curvy lines… In fact, the “e”, “i”, and “n” available for comparison are quite dissimilar, but that doesn’t stop me from making an association with the Happiest Celebration on Earth. It could be due to some all-good childhood memory of a trip to Disneyland (or was it Disneyworld? the one in Orlando at any rate) and a desire to recreate that feeling. Or, it could be because the Beijing 2008 identity is in some way derivative of Disney’s logo. Let’s ignore Freud for the moment and assume it’s the latter, which leads me to a thought – and one I leave with you – about the power of being derivative. Is it a power even worth harnessing, or is the risk of being seen as unoriginal too great? Or, to mince the words of my esteemed colleague, is it sometimes more genius to imitate than to steal?