“Most people are other people.
Their thoughts are someone else's opinions,
Their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” - Oscar Wilde
In the magical world of Harry Potter, Dumbledore imparts a profound piece of wisdom to young Harry: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
But are our choices, really our choices?
Enter "Wanting," a remarkable exploration of human desire and choice, written by Luke Burgis. Burgis, who has an unconventional background as an entrepreneur with four successful start-ups under his belt, ventured to Italy to study philosophy, theology, and literature. His book tackles the concept of mimetic desire, a theory first introduced by the renowned French thinker René Girard.
The Imitation Game
In the "The Matrix," Morpheus asks Neo, "Have you ever had a dream that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?" This provocative question forces Neo to confront the nature of his reality.
In much the same vein, "Wanting" asks us, "Why do we want the things we want?"
The answer, rooted in the theories of the renowned polymath René Girard, may surprise and even shock you.
René Girard, a French-born historian, literary critic, and philosopher, spent his career examining human behavior, culture, and social systems. His research led to the development of a theory known as "mimetic desire." Derived from the Greek word 'mimesthai'—which means to imitate—mimetic desire reveals the hidden force that compels us to secretly imitate others in every aspect of our lives, from love and friendship to our careers.
In essence, Girard argues that our desires are not truly our own. Instead, we crave what others have or want. Consider the classic "The Great Gatsby," where Jay Gatsby's desire for Daisy Buchanan is driven by her unattainability and the desires of others.
This realization is unsettling for several reasons:
It can lead to a sense of emptiness, even when we obtain our desires. Just like the Rolling Stones famously sang, "I can't get no satisfaction," we may find ourselves constantly chasing the next shiny object, never feeling truly fulfilled.
It fosters herd mentality, as we blindly follow the desires of those around us. This phenomenon is evident in the way college students flock to the same majors or career paths.
It breeds unnecessary rivalry and jealousy, as our quest to be unique and stand out from the crowd is perpetually at odds with our innate tendency to imitate others. The ancient story of Cain and Abel illustrates this point, as their desire to please God ultimately resulted in tragedy.
The Social Media Games: Unmasking the Desire Arena
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become the ultimate arena of mimetic desire, where we constantly compare ourselves to the curated lives of others.
And what they have dictates what we want.
Sometimes, mimesis manifests in innocuous ways, like ordering a martini instead of a beer at a bar simply because a friend did so. However, there are times when mimesis takes on a more sinister tone.
When a friend announces their promotion, you suddenly feel anxious and left behind.
Or when a neighbor moves into a swanky new community, your once-beloved home starts to feel like a prison.
As you watch your friend drive off in their new Tesla, you might opt for a classic Mustang to stand out. You tell yourself and others that it's about tradition and the environment, but deep down, you know it's still all about mimesis, like an intricate dance of desire.
The Freshmainstan Chronicles
Who are you jealous of? Jeff Bezos, or a coworker whose job is like yours but has a higher salary?
Burgis asserts that Jeff Bezos, with his astronomical wealth and success, exists in a realm he calls "Celebristan," which is distant and unattainable. We may admire Bezos, but our true desire models are often our coworkers, friends, or neighbors, who live in the realm of "Freshmainstan."
This is the essence of the theory of "Freshmainstan," where our models of desire reside near us, creating a sense of competition and envy. These "Freshmainstan" models act as our internal mediators of desire - their proximity to us intensifies our envy, turning them into perceived threats.
Escaping the Mimesis Matrix
Continuing with our Matrix metaphor, Morpheus told Neo "I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it." Similarly, now that we've unraveled the concept of Mimesis, it's time to take charge and use it to our advantage, instead of being manipulated by it.
Burgis offers us a series of approaches to harness the power of Mimesis. With the knowledge we've gained, we can achieve a new level of freedom. He recommends that there's no need to eliminate our desires, but rather to become aware of them and uncover the underlying motivations.
Through The Thick and Thin
In a world where models of desire lurk in every corner, much like the Agent Smiths, it's essential to unmask these invisible influences. To do so, one must embark on a self-exploratory journey, akin to Neo discovering his true potential.
Begin by identifying your models. Ask yourself: Whose political beliefs, career choices, or purchasing decisions do you emulate? Or who do you secretly not want to succeed? These individuals may be the very ones you're locked in a mimetic rivalry with.
Now that you've pinpointed your models, it's time to categorize your desires into 'thick' and 'thin'. Thick desires represent your true calling, the core of your being that you'll never tire of pursuing. Thin desires, on the other hand, are the superficial cravings for objects, accolades, money, or status.
As you practice this exercise, you'll become more adept at distinguishing your genuine desires from the mimetic illusions, much like Neo learning to bend the rules of the Matrix.
Embracing this self-awareness is the key to reclaim control over your destiny.
How Mimetic Rivalry Fueled the Birth of Lamborghini
It was a minor clutch problem in a Ferrari that set the stage for a major rivalry, changing the course of automotive history. Ferruccio Lamborghini, a successful tractor manufacturer and racing enthusiast, found himself in a David vs. Goliath scenario when he sought to resolve his luxury sports car's persistent clutch issue.
After discovering that his Ferrari shared the same clutch as his tractors, Lamborghini offered his recommendations to Enzo Ferrari. However, Enzo dismissed him, igniting a fire within Lamborghini to prove his expertise. No longer was Enzo Ferrari someone from Celebristan; he was moved down to Freshmanistan. With determination fueled by mimetic rivalry, Lamborghini launched his first luxury vehicle in 1964, quickly rising to prominence and rivaling Ferrari's performance.
Yet, when it came time to consider entering Formula 1, Lamborghini knew when to step back and prioritize his family over the escalating competition.
The story of Lamborghini and Ferrari demonstrates the potential of mimetic desire when harnessed wisely. By recognizing when to channel it and when to let go, one can achieve remarkable success and push their boundaries further than ever before.
Reinventing Desire: Finding Fulfillment Through Transformation
We already talked about thick and thin desires – and making choices that leave you fulfilled. Another way to think through this process is to picture yourself lying in your deathbed. Then imagine each choice those make you feel. Would you feel fulfilled, or would you feel regret?
The key is to recognize our single, greatest desire and use it as a guiding force. By transforming our lesser desires to serve this ultimate goal, we create a momentum that amplifies our satisfaction and sense of purpose.
Consider the case of emulating a friend's exercise routine, a seemingly 'thin' desire. As you embrace this new habit, it sparks a series of positive changes: healthier eating, declining unhealthy social events, and increased productivity. This ripple effect demonstrates the power of aligning desires with our overarching purpose.
The trick is not to eliminate our models, but to discern which desires are worth pursuing. By selecting the right ones, we set ourselves on a path towards lasting fulfillment and personal growth.
Taking the Red Pill
'Wanting' offers a profound dive into the covert influences that sculpt our desires and dictate our actions. By unlocking the mysteries of mimetic desire, we can start making more conscious choices, emancipating ourselves from the unseen chains that bind us, akin to Neo's liberation from the Matrix.
Don't hesitate to pick up this thought-provoking read. It's a quick and worthwhile journey that will leave you questioning the very fabric of your desires and aspirations.
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note: most images are generated by DALL-E, via Bing. Some are images from the series “The Matrix” to keep up with the metaphor.
A profound concept which many of us deal in daily lives -- explained very beautifully. Makes me want to pick up the book right away
Written in the most beautiful way! 😍