As much as I can agree "Unique" content is important... I think the concept has become just short of a given. Being unique as important as it is, really isnt a variable in how your content will rank. Just because your content is unique does not mean it will rank - it doesn't even mean it will get indexed... there is simply just a bunch more involved in the process than that.
There is a duality in what Search engines say they want, and what they deliver in a serp listing. If you are a big believer in all of the write for the reader, be unique blah blah blah hype, I will bet you dont have to many top 10 listings... as much as they ( search engines ) want it to work that way, it simply doesn't.
Search engines at its core is a huge data base of content. it uses an algorithm to determine in order of most relevant to least how and where to list a page of content. It is suggested there are in excess of 200 variables used to determine the value of your content and where it will be listed. Again it is basically a known fact that if your content is duplicate it will not be listed at all. ( we all kind of know this to be true, but could point out examples of even how this ideal simple truth is a lie in un itself )
I kid around that search engines are a lot like women... Generally speaking if you are ugly they wont give you the time of day... if you are a good guy they will treat you like crap, and if you are a bad boy..you tend to get a lot more attention. And even as sound as that algorithm is, it is not always the case.
Worry a little less on how unique your content is, and more on being on the fence between the good guy and the bad boy, and in the end things will be alright!
