We like to think our desires are authentic. “I want to be a lawyer because I love justice.” “I want a Ferrari because I appreciate engineering.”
Science says you are lying. According to Mimetic Theory (René Girard), we do not desire objects. We desire what our models desire.
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You want the job because your college rival wants the job.
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You want the watch because your boss has the watch.
You are not navigating by your own compass; you are navigating by looking at the ships around you.
The Danger of the Herd
The “Rat Race” is simply a group of people competing for the same Mimetic Desires. Because everyone wants the same thing (Status, specific zip codes, specific titles), the competition becomes fierce and the margins become zero. You spend your life fighting for a prize that, once won, feels empty. Why? Because you never actually wanted it. You just wanted to beat the other guy to it.
The Protocol: The Origin Audit
To regain your Sovereignty, you must trace every major goal back to its source.
Take your top 3 goals. Ask: “Where did this desire come from?”
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The Goal: “I want to raise a $10M Series A.”
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The Origin: “TechCrunch celebrates funding rounds.” (Mimetic).
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The Reality: “I actually hate board meetings and prefer bootstrapping.” -> DROP IT.
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The Goal: “I want to write a book.”
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The Origin: “I have ideas that keep me awake at night.” (Intrinsic).
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The Reality: “I would write this even if nobody read it.” -> KEEP IT.
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The Anti-Mimetic Path
The only way to win is to leave the crowded track. Stop competing on “Better.” Start competing on “Different.” If you pursue a goal that nobody else understands, you are safe from competition. You are free.
#DhandheKaFunda: If you are competing with millions of people, you are playing the wrong game. Find the game only you can play.