Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life

by Luke Burgis

When mimesis is strong enough, rivals forget about whatever objects they were fighting for in the first place. Objects become completely interchangeable—the rivals will fight for anything, so long as their opponent wants it. They become locked in a double bind—each reflexively bound to the desires of the other, unable to escape.

“the effort to leave the beaten paths forces everyone into the same ditch.”