Mirrors of Desire: René Girard’s Mimesis in the Age of Simulation

In a world where screens have become our eyes and algorithms our guides, we’re stepping into a simulated future - a future where reality is mirrored, manipulated, and morphed by digital reflections. The lines between what’s authentic and what’s artificial are blurring. Yet, in this tangled digital age, an ancient truth re-emerges: we are creatures of imitation, and our desires are shaped by what others seem to want.

René Girard, the man who deciphered the patterns of our longing, once said, “We borrow our desires from others.” It’s not a question of lack, but of imitation; we want what we see others enjoying. The child only wants the toy when another has it. The adult chases wealth because society deems it aspirational. The masses pursue trends because they’re seen as desirable by the many. It’s mimesis - a dance of copying and craving.

Now, enter the age of simulation - a realm where reality is not just replicated but refracted and reimagined. Virtual realities, augmented experiences, digital personas - these are not merely imitations of life; they amplify and mutate it. This is fertile soil for mimesis to take root and grow, with unprecedented speed and scale.

In these simulated spaces, we don’t just watch others; we become avatars, embody echoes, and engage in crafted interactions. We step into worlds where desires are not only mirrored but magnified and multiplied at digital speed. The simulation doesn’t merely reflect mimetic desire; it refracts and reinforces it.

Picture a virtual marketplace where the supply of goods is infinite, yet value is dictated by virality and visibility. A digital artwork skyrockets in worth not for its intrinsic quality, but because enough people believe it’s worthy. The simulation accelerates mimesis, and mimesis fuels the simulation.

So, what does this mean for us? Are we doomed to an endless cycle of derivative desires, imitating shadows and calling it aspiration? Or is there an opportunity here - a chance to use these simulations as a stage on which we rewrite the script of our longings?

Maybe these virtual worlds hold the key to understanding our mimetic impulses more clearly. If simulations can mirror our mimicry, they can also magnify our awareness. The simulated space can be a maze, but it can also be a mirror - a tool for reflection rather than a trap.

Embracing Girard’s insight means acknowledging that while imitation is hardwired, awareness is within our grasp. The simulations around us are both a challenge and an opportunity: a challenge to our autonomy, and a catalyst for conscious choice.

As we navigate this new synthetic existence, let’s remember: the mirror doesn’t just show who we are - it shows who we could be. The future of simulation isn’t set; it’s an open canvas, awaiting the brushstrokes of intentional desire.

Echoes of imitation or embodiments of intention - the choice, as ever, is ours.