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Modern WisdomJul 8, 2021

#344 - Luke Burgis - Mimetic Desire: Why Do We Want?

Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for #344 - Luke Burgis - Mimetic Desire: Why Do We Want? on Modern Wisdom.

Guest: Luke Burgis

Notable books mentioned: Rene Girard, Instagram, Iliad by Homer, Dostoevsky

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Rene Girard cover
Mentioned at 0:15
Rene Girard

The host discusses Rene Girard's theory of mimetic desire to explain how our wants are influenced by others rather than being inherently our own. T…

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Instagram cover
Mentioned at 2:21
Instagram

The host discusses the concept of mimetic desire as explained by Rene Girard, emphasizing how social media platforms like Instagram influence our w…

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Iliad cover
Mentioned at 10:54
Iliad
Homer

The host discusses how classic literature, particularly the 'Iliad', can reveal deep anthropological truths about human nature. They highlight how…

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#344 - Luke Burgis - Mimetic Desire: Why Do We Want?
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Episode summary, books & quotes

#344 - Luke Burgis - Mimetic Desire: Why Do We Want? mentions Rene Girard, Instagram, Iliad by Homer, and Dostoevsky with timestamps, quotes, and episode context.

Rene GirardInstagramIliadDostoevsky
Guest: Luke Burgis
Episode summary
Luke Burgis is an entrepreneur and author. We feel like we are in charge of our wants. Like we're the creator of our desires. But Rene Girard's theory of Mimetic Desire suggests an alternative - all we are doing is copying and modelling other people's wants, and then spitting them back out as our own. Expect to learn why you're going to die of a Brazilian butt lift, why mimesis is a kind of alchemy, how mimetic desires cause people to become scapegoats, why Lamborghini's creation story is explained by Rene Girard and much more...
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Summary, books mentioned, transcript quotes, and timestamps for #344 - Luke Burgis - Mimetic Desire: Why Do We Want? on Modern Wisdom.

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  • The conversation centers on mimetic desire in literature.
  • A second recurring theme is memetic desire and literature.
  • Referenced books include Rene Girard and Instagram.
  • The strongest audience signal points to Individuals interested in psychology and social media effects and Individuals interested in psychology, social media effects, and cultural studies..
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Which books are mentioned in #344 - Luke Burgis - Mimetic Desire: Why Do We Want??

Rene Girard, Instagram, and Iliad by Homer are the clearest linked books in this episode, each tied back to transcript timestamps and quote cards.

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mimetic desire in literature(3)memetic desire and literature(1)memetic desire in literature(1)mimetic desire and alchemy(1)mimetic desire and Instagram(1)mimetic desire influence(1)mimetic desire theory(1)
Mention sentiment
Deep Dive(8)Critical Analysis(1)
Audience signals
Individuals interested in psychology and social media effectsIndividuals interested in psychology, social media effects, and cultural studies.Readers interested in anthropology and literatureReaders interested in psychology and literatureReaders interested in psychology, literature, and human behaviorMarketers and psychology enthusiasts

Books Mentioned

Rene Girard cover
Rene Girard
Best for Individuals interested in psychology and social media effectsOften cited around mimetic desire theory

“The discussion revolves around Rene Girard's theory of mimetic desire, which suggests that our wants are often imitations of others' desires.”

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Individuals interested in psychology and social media effects
Key quote: “We want what other people want because other people want it.”
The host discusses Rene Girard's theory of mimetic desire to explain how our wants are influenced by others rather than being inherently our own. This exploration aims to shed light on the impact of social media on our desires and overall well-being.
ASIN: 1091995850
Buy on Amazon
Instagram cover
Instagram
Best for Individuals interested in psychology, social media effects, and cultural studies.Often cited around mimetic desire and Instagram

“Dana Tortorici wrote a piece about Instagram and its effect on our desires, which is a central theme in the discussion.”

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Individuals interested in psychology, social media effects, and cultural studies.
Key quote: “She wrote a beautiful piece about Instagram and the effect that Instagram is having on what we want.”
The host discusses the concept of mimetic desire as explained by Rene Girard, emphasizing how social media platforms like Instagram influence our wants. The mention of the book highlights the pervasive nature of these desires and their impact on human behavior and culture.
ASIN: 1119931797
Buy on Amazon
Iliad cover
Iliad
Homer
Best for Readers interested in anthropology and literatureOften cited around memetic desire and literature

“He had a shovel and he had the Iliad in 1871. He found Troy because he believed that the text held clues about the city.”

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Readers interested in anthropology and literature
Key quote: “He had a shovel. And he had the Iliad in 1871.”
The host discusses how classic literature, particularly the 'Iliad', can reveal deep anthropological truths about human nature. They highlight how Heinrich Schleierman used the 'Iliad' to successfully find the lost city of Troy, emphasizing the importance of taking literary texts seriously in understanding human desires.
ASIN: 9388144295
Buy on Amazon
Dostoevsky cover
Dostoevsky
Best for Readers interested in psychology and literatureOften cited around mimetic desire in literature

“His discovery was that desire is mimetic in a lot of the great classic novels, at least of the western canon, like Dostoevsky.”

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Readers interested in psychology and literature
Key quote: “Girard was one of these great interdisciplinary minds.”
The host discusses how Rene Girard discovered the concept of mimetic desire through classic literature, including works by Dostoevsky. This mention highlights the importance of literature in uncovering deep truths about human nature and desire.
ASIN: 1848702035
Buy on Amazon
Cervantes cover
Cervantes
Best for Readers interested in psychology and literatureOften cited around memetic desire in literature

“His discovery was that desire is mimetic in a lot of the great classic novels, at least of the western canon, like Cervantes.”

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Readers interested in psychology and literature
Key quote: “Like Dostoevsky, Cervantes, a lot of great French literature.”
The host mentions Cervantes in the context of discussing how classic literature reveals deep truths about human nature, particularly through the lens of Rene Girard's concept of mimetic desire. The host emphasizes that characters in these classic novels do not have spontaneous desires but are influenced by others, highlighting the importance of literature in understanding human behavior.
ASIN: B00358VHXI
Buy on Amazon
Proust cover
Proust
Best for Readers interested in psychology and literatureOften cited around mimetic desire in literature

“His discovery was that desire is mimetic in a lot of the great classic novels, at least of the western canon, like Proust.”

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Readers interested in psychology and literature
Key quote: “Girard... believed that the text held very important secrets about human nature.”
The host discusses how Rene Girard discovered the concept of mimetic desire through classic literature, including works by Proust. This connection highlights the importance of literature in understanding human nature and desire.
ASIN: 0812969642
Buy on Amazon
Rene Girard's work cover
Rene Girard's work
Best for Readers interested in psychology, literature, and human behaviorOften cited around mimetic desire in literature

“The speaker reflects on Rene Girard's work regarding mimetic desire and how it influences human behavior, particularly in children.”

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Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Readers interested in psychology, literature, and human behavior
Key quote: “And that's what he did with the literature.”
The host discusses how Rene Girard's work reveals the concept of mimetic desire in classic literature, suggesting that characters' desires are influenced by others rather than being spontaneous. This perspective is tied to broader themes in human behavior and learning, emphasizing the importance of Girard's interdisciplinary approach.
ASIN: B0F91S5ST6
Buy on Amazon
Rory Sutherland cover
Rory Sutherland
Best for Marketers and psychology enthusiastsOften cited around mimetic desire and alchemy

“The speaker mentions Rory Sutherland and his great book discussing the concept of mimesis as a form of alchemy.”

View mention details
Sentiment: Deep Dive
For: Marketers and psychology enthusiasts
Key quote: “Rory Sutherland, who I've spoken to, he wrote a great book, I think would certainly say that it's it's alchemy.”
The host mentions Rory Sutherland to illustrate the concept of mimetic desire and how it can create demand for something previously deemed worthless. Sutherland's insights are tied to historical examples of marketing and social influence, emphasizing the psychological underpinnings of desire.
ASIN: 0956437338
Buy on Amazon
Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life cover
Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life
Luke Burgess
Best for Individuals interested in psychology and human behaviorOften cited around mimetic desire influence

“The book discusses the concept of mimetic desire and how it influences human behavior and decision-making.”

View mention details
Sentiment: Critical Analysis
For: Individuals interested in psychology and human behavior
Key quote: “The book discusses the concept of mimetic desire and how it influences human behavior and decision-making.”
The host highlights the book to explore how mimetic desire shapes our choices and interactions. This analysis aims to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the psychological underpinnings of their desires.
ASIN: B08KGVLHVX
Buy on Amazon

Movies & Documentaries Mentioned

Movie

A Few Good Men

Confidence: 90%

“A friend realized he had been modeling his mannerisms and ways of dealing with people based on this movie for 20 years.”

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