Does being a Chameleon is better than being a Copy-Cat?

Since the start of our great school days, we have been asked to read our study books and learn by heart, all the answers to the questions asked. We have been asked to memorize Hindi and English Poems, Science Questions, Chemical and Mathematical formulas and many more useless things word by word such that if you made any minor slip while writing the answers, you deserve to get less marks. We study, learn and apply it in our life.

Are great thinkers, innovators and visionaries became the great without reading and learning. The answer is no, so a creative person is born with a creative mind?

Its quite strange that while interviewing someone, we expect to get the same answer to the question, which we have learn by rote from the candidate, and if, the candidate gives us an alternative answer, we usually reject the one immediately

Few days back, I wrote a post on a political controversy, It was an interesting subject, and to learn more about it, I read lots of blog post and news. I also quoted and included few lines from other post, and, surprisingly someone I know, called me and questioned its authenticity in terms of writing. I did not feel hurt as someone was questioning my viewpoint, but it was an uneasy feeling that made me question about plagiarism, quoting that has been written. If I would have changed and rephrased the sentences keeping their meaning same, then all those views would have become mine?

After all, we read something, quote it, analyze it and then accept it in our thought process. If by changing few words those ideas and beliefs becomes ours, then I would definitely disagree with one of my dear friends opinion. After all, what we absorb is what we become.

Something you create is an inference to already existing thing or idea.

Next, time if someone solve some problem in a way which is different from what you have read, try to give one the full marks.... I can't... Do you?