#93 We fight because we are the same
In the previous post we summarized how our desires are generated and shaped by models. In this post we will see how mimetic desire works differently depending on a person's (imitator's) relationship with a model.
Thesis III: We do not fight because we are different, we fight because we are the same.
The amount of "distance" between the subject and the model determines the intensity of rivalry between the subject and the model. When models are separated from the imitator by enough time, space, money, or status, there is no way to compete seriously with them for the same opportunities.
Models can be classified into two types based on the "distance":
Celebristan: Models who are outside our immediate world (world of external mediation). We have no immediate and direct possibility of competing on the same basis
Freshmanistan: Models who are inside our world (world of internal mediation). Models and imitators occupy the same social space
Celebristan
A barrier always separates the model and the imitator. They might be separated by time (because dead), space (because they live in a different country or aren't on social media), or social status (a billionaire, rock star, or member of a privileged class). This barrier ensures that there is no threat of conflict. Hence, these models are generally imitated freely and openly. Models are acknowledged. Example: Ronaldo is a model to many soccer players across the world.
Freshmanistan
There are no barriers between the model and the imitator. A fierce competition can arise between the model and the imitator at any time. Imitation is in secret and the rivalry is unspoken. Models are unrecognized and they are constantly changing. Friends live in Freshmanistan.
Social media leads us to a life in Freshmanistan. Smartphones project the desires of billons of people to us through social media.
The model who mediates desires is subjecting you to competing forces - a pull to be like the model because that is what you desire and a push to not be like the model, because otherwise you would be labeled as an imitator and embarrassed in front of everybody.
Models in Freshmanistan distort reality in many ways. Here are a few of them:
Distortion 1: The Misappropriation of Wonder
As the true object of desire (or striving) is not for any particular thing but for some new way of living or being - it leads to strange distortions in the way we see other people. For example, the desire to be like a model who represents an ideal body image is stronger than the need for basic sustenance (anorexia).
Distortion 2: Cult of Experts
The modern world is one of experts. They alone know what is to be done. Everything boils down to choosing the right expert. How do we choose our experts? Mimesis plays a strong role. Authority is more mimetic than we like to believe. The fastest way to become an expert is to convince a few of the right people to call you an expert.
Don't let experts derail you from the truth - regardless of how many other people want to believe it. And that means doing the work.
Distortion 3: Reflexivity
The reflexivity of desire is most apparent in rivalrous relationships. When a person is focused on what a rival model wants, the desires of both individuals are reflexive. Neither can want anything without affecting the other's desire for it.
A different version of this phenomenon is seen in mirrored imitation - where the"imitator" does the opposite of whatever a rival does. It is reflexive to a rival by doing something different from what the rival models.
This post is a summary from a chapter in Luke Burgis book - Wanting and Alex Danco's post.