Originality an impossibility?

[Z3ratul]

I mean this on two levels:

1) The more everyday one- the one you encounter at school, in the workplace, etc. People trying to be original in the way they dress, act, speak... and I'm not referring to the 'emo's. I'm wondering if, regardless of what you did, could you ever achieve originality? Of course, that might imply that you are required to put up a facade, which, while could be the case, isn't necessary. Heck- even being yourself, while probably the most truthful way to live, isn't original in the conept, or even the execution. In the society we live in today, I do think original is impossible.

2) The first is really an example of the second. Has every idea already been thought? It seems everytime I come up with a thought that I consider 'original', I'll find that somebody has already made a quote pretaining of such, or, rather disappointingly on my behalf, sometimes whole idealogies have been based on that thought process. I guess knowing that I don't live in a case of solipism is comforting, and yet at the same time, depressing. I might be letting pride and conceit get ahead of myself, but I'm starting to consider (and maybe even accept) that it will be impossible in my life to come up with an original statement, thought, or idea.

The only possible disproof I've been able to find is our advancement of technology, but even so, I'm not sure if that counts. And, while I type this, let me apologize as I did so in a matter of five minutes and it may not be entirely thought out. In any case...

Anybody have any thoughts on the matter?