Pastesuch

Pastesuch is a term used in discussions of online communication to describe the practice of inserting large blocks of text from external sources into a single post or document with minimal alteration. The term combines paste, describing the act of inserting text, with such, signaling that the pasted material is presented as part of a new argument or voice. In academic and journalistic discussion, pastesuch is treated as a form of text recycling or remixing that tests readers’ ability to distinguish source material from original synthesis.

Origin and usage: The coinage appeared in digital-literacy dialogues and blog commentary in the early 2020s, spreading through social media, forums, and newsletters as researchers debated the ethics and practicality of rapid content assembly online. Its use is most common in environments where rapid sharing and low friction publishing are valued, such as discussion threads, comment sections, and short-form newsletters.

Characteristics: Typical features include long verbatim blocks, multi-source collage, sparse attribution, and an emphasis on the surface authority of copied passages rather than their integrated analysis. Effects on readers vary: some perceive increased credibility or breadth, while others view it as cursorial or evasive.

Relation to other concepts: Pastesuch is often discussed in relation to text recycling, patchwriting, remix culture, and quotation practices. Debates range from concerns about attribution and intellectual honesty to questions about efficiency, comprehension, and the dynamics of online persuasion. See also text recycling, patchwriting, remix culture, quotation.