Really enjoyable introduction to a philosopher I hadn't heard of before. Explains many odd aspects of the modern world and gave me plenty to think about. Great read

Interesting interpretation of the ideas of René Girard.

The best book on Girard and mimetic desire that I’ve yet come across, and yet a deceptively easy read (or in my case listen). Very practical and insightful about the world we live in. For example "Facebook as a tool for forging identities." Despite its accessibility this is a book I can see myself revisiting with benefit.

I'm supportive of little known approaches to life/living/philosophy, and Girards is one of those. Thiel is clearly credible also. So it's good to see books trying to explain and develop the applicability of this thinking.

I valued the concept of thick (developed and sustained over many years, deeply held, underlying) vs thin desires.

But I just don't feel I'm very mimetic. And this book did seem somewhat padded out with peripheral stuff to me. Maybe I should read it again and try harder.

WANTING should be the first thing you read if you're looking to learn more about Mimetic Desire.

A book I wish I could have read 20 years ago, and that I will definitely be revisiting on a regular basis.

...and I have to say I cringed intensely when he claimed that anorexia is a mimetic desire to be thin like a model. This is such a naive and stereotyped misunderstanding of this illness. Ask any anorexic and I can pretty much guarantee they will tell you this devastating illness has nothing to do with wanting to look like a model. Unfortunately this has somewhat undermined the rest of the content of the book for me, although I appreciate the overall aim of what the author is trying to do i.e. putting the spotlight on our relationship with desire.

I am the head of a (corporate) department and am always interested in learning more about all sorts of things, how they might apply to me and how I might apply them to my working and personal life. The author of the book does his best to present a lesser-known philosophy. But it's hard going. He summarises each chapter with a 'tactic' at the end but it's stating the obvious: think about what it would be like on your death bed, the regrets you might have etc. will point you to what you truly want from your life, meditate. The one rather pretentious 'tactic' he mentions concerns "the truth". He asks candidates at interviews: "what's the most difficult sacrifice you've ever had to make for the truth?". He must be very naive. The only reason most people are sitting in that chair for an interview is not to engage in cod-philosophy but to pay their bills and meet the cost of living for which they need a job. In summary: most won't find it of practical application, the tactics aren't particularly new either and the writing style means I wasn't particularly engaged with the core philosophy.

This book was all over the place at times. And I continuously got the impression of the author cherry-picking examples and stories to fit the argument. Some paragraphs would end with; and this is all due to mimesis. Hmmmmmm.

There's a few gems but nothing more really. I only gained insight from about 10% of the book.

Be careful of what you desire; its probably a consequence of what someone else is modelling for you to want. Form thick desires, not thin ones.

I can't stop talking about these ideas even though I'm only a few chapters into the book.

If you celebrate Christmas, you probably remember the early days when you would ask Santa for the gifts you wanted.

I remember writing letters to Santa, or leaving cookies by my futon as a little thank-you for his hard work. Every year, my wishes would change.

But have you ever stopped to wonder why you wanted what you wanted? What shapes your desires? What hidden forces are at play when you long for certain things?

That’s exactly what Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life dives into. It explores the deeper reasons behind our desires and helps us understand not just what we want, but why we want it.

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▶️ Who Should Read It?

I would recommend “Wanting” to anyone interested in psychology, personal development, or social dynamics, as it provides valuable insights into how those around us shape our desires.

It’s also great for readers who enjoy exploring philosophical concepts in a practical context, especially in relation to motivation and relationships.

Also, those in leadership or marketing roles might find it particularly relevant for understanding consumer behavior and fostering authentic connections.

▶️ How the Book Changed Me

✅ Reinforcing Self-Awareness and Community: The book reinforced the importance of engaging with multiple communities and striving for an objective view of myself. It also offered thoughtful insights into mimetic desire — the idea that our desires are often shaped by the desires of others. This awareness has shifted how I approach my own wants, making me more mindful of where they originate and whether they reflect my true values or external influences.

✅ Encouraging Deeper Questions: The book gave me the courage to ask bigger, more profound questions about life. It reminded me that, although these questions can be challenging, they are ultimately more meaningful and fulfilling. This perspective has prompted me to reconsider how I want to live and to think more deeply about my choices and the direction I want my life to take.

✅ Embracing Life’s Complexities: On a personal level, the book humbled me as both a writer and an individual, teaching me to embrace the unexpected intersections of seemingly opposing forces. It deepened my understanding of how important, though challenging, it is to maintain a focus on facing reality, and made me realize the greatness in that approach. It became an opportunity to reflect on whether I’ve been too focused on shaping things neatly, or whether I’ve been truly present and open to life as it unfolds.

The best thing about this is book that i can read it more than one time and still find new insights hidden somewhere within it!!

The author did good job communicating Rene Girard’s ideas.

Shows us what really matters in life (and why) and the real human nature with its nasty tendencies (and how to overcome them). Eye-opening, priceless, a must read!

Must read.the journey to the depths of desire in capitalism is profound and the crisis of imagination is palpable. We need new paradigms this book shows.