What is the "romantic lie"?

The "romantic lie" refers to the mistaken belief that human desires are directly related to the inherent qualities of the object desired, without the influence of external factors. This concept suggests that people often romantically assume that the connection between them and the objects of their desire—be it a pair of shoes, a job, or a romantic interest—is straightforward and purely due to the object's qualities. However, according to Gerard, referenced by Luke Burgis, this is a simplification as human desires are significantly shaped by external influences or mediators. This idea is exemplified by narratives such as "love at first sight," which romanticize the notion of direct and unmediated desire. Gerard argues that this is a misconstruction of human nature and points to literature, like Shakespeare, which portrays desire as memetic and mediated through other characters—reflecting a more realistic understanding of human behavior 1 .