Wanting

More about the book

This exploration delves into the nature of desire and offers tools to liberate ourselves from unfulfilling pursuits. Peter Thiel's encounter with René Girard's theory of "mimetic desire" during his philosophy studies at Stanford revealed that much of human wanting stems from imitating others rather than innate needs. Girard, a prominent figure in social sciences, posited that our desires are shaped by those around us, influencing our choices in romance, work, fitness, politics, and parenting. This sophisticated form of adult imitation drives human behavior more than we realize, leading to rivalries and conflicts as people often want the same things. However, understanding mimetic desire empowers us to choose differently. Those who grasp this concept can harness it for positive outcomes or negative ones. Drawing from his experiences as an entrepreneur and scholar, Luke Burgis illustrates how to transform blind wanting into intentional desire. By doing so, we can gain independence from fleeting trends, regain control over our desires, and find deeper meaning in our lives and work, ultimately fostering a more fulfilling existence grounded in lasting aspirations.