In Wanting, Luke Burgis explores the power of mimetic desire in everyday life. He argues that our desires are not always our own, but are instead driven by what we see other people want. This can lead to harmful consequences such as envy and greed, but it can also be a force for good, driving us to achieve great things. Drawing on evidence from psychology and economics, Burgis offers a compelling new way of understanding human motivation.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for the general public. It offers a new way of understanding human motivation that is based on evidence from psychology and economics.
Pros :
- The book offers a compelling new way of understanding human motivation.
- It is based on evidence from psychology and economics.
- The author explores the power of mimetic desire in everyday life.
Cons :
- Many people may not be interested in the psychology or economics behind human motivation.
- The book may be dense and difficult to read for some.
- It may be challenging to apply Burgis’ ideas to everyday life.
Learn more about the author
Luke Burgis is a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. He has written for publications including The Guardian, New Scientist, and BBC Future. Wanting is his first book.
Reader Reviews
“A fresh and exciting look at the power of mimetic desire.”
“Luke Burgis has written an important and insightful book on the power of mimetic desire. Wanting should be read by anyone interested in human motivation and behavior.”
“A challenging and provocative book that will change the way you look at yourself and the world around you.”
“An excellent, insightful book on the power of mimetic desire. Burgis provides a compelling argument for why we should all be paying attention to our desires and how they can drive us to achieve great things.”