WANTING: The Power of Mimetic Desire: Book by Luke Burgis about René Girard's Mimetic Theory

“The clearest, most accessible introduction to René Girard available.” - Peter Thiel WANTING is an introduction to the mimetic theory of the famous social theorist René Girard applies to everyday life, with particular applications to business and startups.

A great introduction to mimetic theory. Once you start to understand mimetic theory there's no going back. This book is well written, impactful, and actionable. Highly recommend reading. I've bought it as gifts for friends. One question I have for @lukeburgis is this: How does one take advantage of the positive aspects of social media, like Twitter, whilst minimising the effects of mimetic forces? I can't help but feel that with a constant feed of information/opinions/models, my desires are being influenced, in a way that isn't always positive. I could easily walk away from Twitter but sometimes you read a single tweet that drastically changes your life for the better. The opportunity cost of not being on Twitter just seems too high. Any tips on how to think about that tension? Thank you!

Hi everyone, Luke Burgis (the author) here. I'd love to start a conversation here about mimetic theory. I'll be checking in periodically to respond to any questions.