The Hidden Forces Shaping Human Behavior

We believe our desires are our own. But what if they aren’t?

Every day, we make choices—what career to pursue, what investments to make, what products to buy, even what opinions to hold. We assume these choices come from within, that we are independent thinkers navigating life based on personal preference.

But what if that’s an illusion?

René Girard, a 20th-century French philosopher, argued that human desire is not independent—it is imitative. We don’t instinctively know what to want. Instead, we look to others and mimic their desires, often without realizing it.

This hidden force—mimetic desire—shapes everything from personal ambition to market trends, political movements, and global conflicts. Understanding how it works is crucial for navigating modern life with clarity, avoiding unnecessary rivalry, and making better decisions.

1. Mimetic Desire: Why Humans Imitate Each Other

Unlike animals, which rely on instincts to guide behavior, humans depend on social cues. From childhood, we learn what to value by watching others—parents, peers, leaders, celebrities, influencers.

Girard’s insight was simple but profound: we don’t just desire things—we desire what others desire.

How Mimetic Desire Shows Up in Everyday Life

• Business & Investing – Why do companies suddenly pivot toward the same trends—AI, crypto, electric vehicles? Because decision-makers don’t want to be left behind.
• Social Media & Consumer Behavior – Why does a brand become aspirational overnight? Because influential people signal its value.
• Career & Status Symbols – Why do certain job titles, degrees, or lifestyles seem more desirable than others? Because they are socially reinforced.

The pattern is everywhere: desire spreads through imitation. And in a hyper-connected world, where trends go viral instantly, mimetic forces have never been more powerful.

2. Mimetic Rivalry: When Imitation Turns Into Competition

The real danger of mimesis isn’t imitation itself—it’s what happens when two people (or groups) imitate the same desire.

The Closer We Are, The More We Compete

Girard observed a paradox: the more similar two rivals are, the more fiercely they compete.

• Why do siblings fight more than distant relatives?
• Why do co-workers in the same role compete more intensely than employees in different departments?
• Why are political factions with minor ideological differences often the most hostile toward each other?

Because they desire the same things—and that competition escalates into mimetic rivalry.

Examples of Mimetic Rivalry in the World Today

• Corporate Battles – Apple vs. Samsung, OpenAI vs. Google. The rivalry isn’t just about innovation—it’s about who dominates the same space.
• Geopolitical Conflicts – Countries locked in trade wars, tech supremacy battles, or military standoffs aren’t just defending resources—they’re caught in a mimetic struggle for global influence.
• Social & Cultural Divisions – Political and ideological conflicts often become less about the core issue and more about defeating the opposing side.

The problem? When rivalry intensifies, the original object of desire (success, power, recognition) often becomes secondary. The fight itself becomes the focus.

3. Why Do Societies Always Need Someone to Blame?

When mimetic rivalry spirals out of control, it threatens to tear a community apart.

Girard noticed a recurring pattern in history: when tensions build, groups instinctively look for a scapegoat—someone to blame and expel.

How the Scapegoat Mechanism Works

1. Tensions rise due to unchecked mimetic rivalry.
2. A scapegoat is identified—an outsider, a leader, or a symbolic figure.
3. Collective blame is placed on the scapegoat, temporarily restoring order.

Examples in Modern Society

• Corporate Downfalls – When a company fails, leadership often finds a single person or department to blame, even if the issues were systemic.
• Political Blame Games – Governments and media frequently rally around a scapegoat to shift focus from deeper structural problems.
• Social Media Cancellations – Public figures become scapegoats for larger societal issues, often taking on disproportionate blame.

The takeaway? The scapegoat mechanism is not a solution—it’s a temporary release valve. Recognizing it can help us think more critically before joining collective outrage.

4. The Global Stage: Mimetic Rivalry at Scale

What happens when entire industries or nations fall into mimetic competition?

The Real-World Consequences of Unchecked Mimesis

• Tech Wars – The race for AI, semiconductors, and space exploration isn’t just about advancement—it’s about not falling behind rivals.
• Economic Battles – Countries engage in trade wars, currency devaluations, and aggressive policies, not because they need to, but because competitors do.
• Social Fragmentation – Online echo chambers amplify mimetic cycles, turning healthy debate into polarized standoffs instead of real conversations.

In a world shaped by mimesis, understanding these forces is key to avoiding destructive cycles.

5. How to Navigate Mimetic Forces in Your Own Life

The goal isn’t to escape mimetic desire—it’s to become conscious of it.

Practical Strategies for Breaking Free from the Imitation Trap

• Pause Before Following Trends – Ask: Do I really want this, or do I want it because others do?
• Avoid Rivalry Traps – Competing for the sake of competition is a losing game. Choose battles wisely.
• Resist Scapegoating Mentality – Be aware of collective blame narratives. They often distract from deeper issues.
• Lead with Vision, Not Mimicry – In business and life, the most effective leaders set direction instead of reacting to competition.

The more we understand mimetic forces, the better we can make choices that align with our own values—not just what others signal as valuable.

Closing Thought: The Power of Awareness

Mimetic forces shape human behavior at every level—from individual choices to global conflicts. But the more we understand them, the better we can navigate our world.

The next time you find yourself chasing a goal, ask yourself:

Do I want this because it truly matters to me? Or because I’ve been influenced to believe it does?

Recognizing that difference will change the way you see the world.

Why This Matters

This article uncovers a fundamental truth about human nature—one that shapes every aspect of life.

When we become aware of mimetic desire, rivalry, and scapegoating, we gain the power to:

? Think independently

? Lead with clarity

? Make smarter decisions

? Break free from unnecessary competition

In a world driven by imitation, awareness is the ultimate competitive edge.

Purpose Behind This Newsletter:

1. For Me: Document life lessons for future reflection.
2. For Maya: Wisdom for my daughter to draw upon in the future.
3. For Growth: Improve my thinking, communication, and creativity through the practice of writing and connecting my favorite quotes, life lessons and books.
4. For You: Perspectives that might resonate with your life and leadership journey.

Frequency of Posts:

LinkedIn has you pick frequency (daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly) of posts when creating a newsletter, however, I'm not sure I'll be following one of these options. I'll simply be posting when I feel like it. This is a passion project with no time constraints or pressure.

To all who have subscribed and / or taken the time to read my articles, thank you, I appreciate it.

– Hitesh Patel

Referenced Works & Inspirations

The insights in this article are drawn from the works and perspectives of deep thinkers who have explored mimetic theory, rivalry, and human behavior:

Key Thinkers

• René Girard – On mimetic desire, rivalry, and the scapegoat mechanism.
• Fyodor Dostoyevsky – On the psychological struggle of ‘the double’ and human duality.
• Peter Thiel – On competition, business strategy, and how mimetic theory applies to markets and leadership.
• Johnathan Bi – On modern interpretations of Girard’s ideas and their relevance today.

Works

• René Girard – Violence and the Sacred (Book) | Audible Version
• René Girard – Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World (Book) I Audible Version
• Fyodor Dostoyevsky – The Double (Book) | Audible Version
• Peter Thiel – Business, Competition & Mimetic Theory | See interviews below
• Johnathan Bi – Mimetic Theory YouTube Series | Full Playlist

YouTube Lectures & Discussions on Mimetic Theory

For those interested in exploring these ideas further:

René Girard & Mimetic Theory

• Principle and Practice: René Girard, Politics, Religion, and Violence
• Colloquium on Violence and Religion - Creative Mimesis and Peace
• Sacred Violence: The Legacy of René Girard
• Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard | Full Length Documentary
• Insights with Rene Girard

Peter Thiel on Mimetic Theory & Business Strategy

• Peter Thiel on “The Straussian Moment”
• Peter Thiel on Political Theology | Conversations with Tyler
• "The Real Risk is Totalitarian World Government" - Peter Thiel
• Peter Thiel: "Diversity Myth" 30 Years Later
• The World According to Thiel
• Peter Thiel: Successful Businesses are Based on Secrets | WIRED
• Apocalypse Now? Peter Thiel on Ancient Prophecies and Modern Tech
• Part II: Apocalypse Now? Peter Thiel on Ancient Prophecies and Modern Tech

#MimeticTheory #HumanBehavior #StrategicThinking