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Choose Your Models Wisely
Part two of a short series on mimetic theory and divine nonviolence
As children, we naturally become expert imitators. Both consciously and subconsciously, we observe and absorb the world around us in order to see how and where we fit into the social order. Our identities are born, not in and of themselves, but in accordance with the social other that holds us. We are shaped in the image of our culture.
And, at the same time…
We come with a unique fingerprint all our own. We’re born with our very own genetic makeup and we live a unique experience that no one else does.
The coinciding of these two parts of our nature — our mimetic propensities and the unique nature of our physical bodies in time and space — make up who we are.
When we see an advertisement with a group of people drinking a certain brand of beer, it’s easy to think that the beer (the product) is the central focus (the model) of the ad. But it’s not. The focus (model) of the ad is the desire of the group of people towards the product. So, the product isn’t the model, the desire of it is.
Because all desire is mimetic, it always involves a model. And human desire is the most powerful form of a model.
