Wanting: The Hidden World of Mimetic Desire by Luke Burgis reveals the secret psychological force of “mimetic desire,” or how humankind subconsciously imitates what others want rather than forming desires independently.
Inspired by the work of René Girard, Burgis explains this invisible force that shapes our relationships, careers, purchasing decisions, social conflicts, and even cultural trends.
He shows how imitation compels competition, creates rivalry, and fuels anxiety as people chase goals not because they fulfill them, but because somebody else wants them first.
By blending philosophy and psychology with entrepreneurship and real-world examples, from Shakespeare to Silicon Valley, from social media to modern polarization, Burgis demonstrates that conflict doesn’t stem from our differences but from our sameness.
The book indeed offers practical frameworks for recognizing borrowed desires and shifting toward more intentional and meaningful ambitions.
Rather than rid ourselves of desire, Burgis shows us how to reshape it-so we can find purpose beyond comparison, trends, and status games.
Wanting offers a roadmap for taking back control in a world where other people’s desires constantly dictate what to chase.
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