Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire, and How to Want What You Need

Gravity affects every aspect of our physical being, but there’s a psychologicalforce just as powerful - yet almost nobody has heard of it. It’s responsible forbringing groups of people together and pulling them apart, making certaingoals attractive to some and not to others, and fueling cycles of anxiety andconflict.

According to French polymath Rene Girard, humans don’t desire anything independently.Human desire is mimetic - we imitate what other people want.This affects the way we choose partners, friends, careers, clothes, and vacationdestinations. Mimetic desire is responsible for the formation of our veryidentities. It explains why Peter Thiel decided to be the first investor in Facebook,the enduring relevancy of Shakespeare’s plays and why our world isgrowing more divided as it becomes more connected.

Drawing on his experience as an entrepreneur, teacher, and student of classicalphilosophy and theology, Burgis shares tactics that help turn blindwanting into intentional wanting - not by trying to rid ourselves of desire, butby desiring differently. It’s possible to be more in control of the things wewant, to achieve more independence from trends and bubbles, and to findmore meaning in our work and lives.

The future will be shaped by our desires. Wanting shows us how to desire abetter one.