Published Jun 7, 2021

Why Do We Want What We Want?

Explore the intriguing concept of mimetic desire with expert Luke Burgis, as he delves into how our wants are shaped by imitation, social media's role in amplifying rivalry, and strategies to transform envy-fueled conflicts into opportunities for growth.

Episode Highlights

Topics covered

Episode Highlights

Related Episodes

Why We Fight
Answers 383 questions
Unpacking The Emotion No One Likes to Talk About
Answers 383 questions
How the Desire for Status Explains (Pretty Much) Everything
Answers 383 questions
Why Are We Restless?
Answers 383 questions
A Surprising Theory on Why We Get Fat
Answers 383 questions
#636: Why You Overeat and What to Do About It
Answers 383 questions
The New Science of Narcissism
Answers 383 questions
#522: What Is Wit and Why Does the World Need It?
Answers 383 questions
#657: Why You Don't Change (But How You Still Can)
Answers 383 questions
How Power Corrupts
Answers 383 questions
#367: The Motivation Myth
Answers 383 questions
Want to Be Happy? Give Yourself Reasons to Admire Yourself
Answers 383 questions
Why Is It So Hard to Admit You Were Wrong?
Answers 383 questions
Thick Desires, Political Atheism, and Living an Anti-Mimetic Life
Answers 383 questions
#629: Why We Swim
Answers 383 questions

Dexa/The Art of Manliness

Why Do We Want What We Want?

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Social Media Impact

Zappos Memetic Crisis

Models and Desires

Unveiling Mimetic Desire

Unveiling Mimetic Desire

Power of Mimetic Desire

Understanding Mimetic Desire

Transforming Mimetic Cycles

Unpacking Envy

Uncovering Mimetic Desire

Productive Rivalries

The Power of Influence

Envy and Mimetic Desire

Embracing Transcendent Models

Episode Highlights

Mimetic Desire

Social Media Impact

Rivalry and Conflict

Related Episodes

Why We Fight

Unpacking The Emotion No One Likes to Talk About

How the Desire for Status Explains (Pretty Much) Everything

Why Are We Restless?

A Surprising Theory on Why We Get Fat

#636: Why You Overeat and What to Do About It

The New Science of Narcissism

#522: What Is Wit and Why Does the World Need It?

#657: Why You Don't Change (But How You Still Can)

How Power Corrupts

#367: The Motivation Myth

Want to Be Happy? Give Yourself Reasons to Admire Yourself

Why Is It So Hard to Admit You Were Wrong?

Thick Desires, Political Atheism, and Living an Anti-Mimetic Life

#629: Why We Swim

Why Do We Want What We Want?

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Mimetic DesireLuke Burgis explores the concept of mimetic desire, highlighting how our wants are shaped by imitation of others. He discusses the influence of both distant and close models on our desires and the potential for rivalry and conflict.

Mimetic Desire

Social Media ImpactLuke Burgis explores how social media intensifies mimetic rivalry by making models of desire more accessible. He discusses the blurring lines between celebrities and acquaintances, leading to increased rivalry and distorted perceptions of reality.

Social Media Impact

Rivalry and ConflictLuke Burgis explores the concept of mimetic desire, where our wants are shaped by those around us, leading to rivalries and envy. He discusses how these rivalries can be both destructive and productive, offering insights on harnessing them for positive outcomes.

Rivalry and Conflict

Related Episodes