Modern Wisdom

#344 - Luke Burgis - Mimetic Desire: Why Do We Want?

Jul 8, 2021

Luke Burgis, an entrepreneur and author, dives into the fascinating world of mimetic desire, revealing how our wants often mirror those of others. He discusses why you're tempted to pursue a Brazilian butt lift and the alchemical nature of mimesis. Listen in as he explores how this phenomenon can lead to scapegoating, the rivalry between Lamborghini and Ferrari, and the societal implications of our imitative desires. Burgis also offers valuable insights on reclaiming personal agency amidst the overwhelming influence of social media.

01:00:39

Creator website

Episode guests

Luke Burgis

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Relationship Between Signaling and Mematic Desire

01:08

Do We Have Any Desires That Aren't Memetic?

01:02

The Memetic Program

01:46

The Paradox of Choice and the Collapse of Grand Narratives

01:03

Intro

2min

Unraveling Mimetic Desire

17min

Mimetic Desire and Its Influence

18min

The Role of Scapegoating in Social Cohesion

4min

Rivalry and Reflection: The Lamborghini Legacy

6min

Navigating Mimetic Desire

8min

Navigating Mimetic Desire in a Superficial World

3min

Luke Burgis is an entrepreneur and author.

We feel like we are in charge of our wants. Like we're the creator of our desires. But Rene Girard's theory of Mimetic Desire suggests an alternative - all we are doing is copying and modelling other people's wants, and then spitting them back out as our own.

Expect to learn why you're going to die of a Brazilian butt lift, why mimesis is a kind of alchemy, how mimetic desires cause people to become scapegoats, why Lamborghini's creation story is explained by Rene Girard and much more...

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