I laughed out loud several times reading this. It’s so funny how ridiculous we can be! Elizabeth Oldfield uses the analogy of what a liturgy does, that it continually redirects our desires, to explain the kind of world we are living in. So I think you are right that we need to replace the unavoidable liturgies of enticement and distraction with new ones. Gratitude is certainly a good starting place.
Beautifully done. Thank you. I tend to start my day with Substack b/c if I get onto Pinterest or Amazon, I’m into that rabbit hole of Wanting Stuff I Don’t Need. I try to start my day with a Bible reading & some reflection & prayers. Works much better.
I've been attempting to talk to my 10yo about mimetic desires (cause she has it bad). And in thinking about it, I wonder why everything and everyone we see doesn't elicit this response in us. Maybe it does for some, but I was thinking about why we aren't just lambasted with uncontrolled mimetic overload. We desire some things but detest other things. All of this is in an attempt to rid myself of doing things that others desire, but I don't think it's entirely possible. Probably the only things that we (exclusively) desire that are not mimetic have to do with our own bodily functions and even then we fulfil them in mimetic ways with food we are used to, and styles of toilets concurrent with our culture and beds that conform to our cultures standards. Mimesis continues to amaze and terrify me.
That’s such an interesting question! I read a paper for my status psychology project that said that our desire for status (which is very correlated with mimesis - though there are definitely some differences) that found that our desire for status or recognition or possessions can take on a “vertical” or “horizontal” direction. If it’s vertical, this is when we desire to have more than someone else. If it’s horizontal, that means we’re satisfied with having a similar amount as someone else because, for whatever reason, we tend to care less about the recognition concerning those specific objects in that specific realm. It’s almost like the difference between desiring “rank” and desiring to be “liked” or “fit in.”
I really long for a more simple lifestyle, but it is not completely in my control. A goal I continue toward into in the future. I find myself spending money to save time because I find time more scarce and valuable. I appreciate the article. It is nice to have money to dream with God and invest in the kingdom.
What a fantastic article. I have bookmarked it. Saved it. And copy-pasted sections into a notekeeper. I have written extensively on generosity and stewardship, but I have not made the points you make here. Well done!
Thank you so much for this excellent article. I find that I don't seem to want physical things as much but there can definitely be greed when it comes to travel, education, views, likes, followers and music releases. I can even want more and more "friends" neglecting the ones I already have. I still use Instagram to share my music but I find the app very addictive and I have concerns about whether or not I should be investing in it as a follower of Jesus. I'm glad to find like-minded people here on Substack. Would love to hear your thoughts on how to engage with social media in a healthy way.
Such a great article-and I love your last point - gratitude! Being grateful for all the good gifts that God gives us. This morning, I am grateful for your article-it really made me think. Unfortunately I do have to order something from Amazon today-but trust me, it’s a need, not a want-🤣
Good analysis. My years in radio exposed me to advertising and how prevalent and powerful t is. Now I intentionally mute or avoid ads all I can. I've learned some of what it is to be content, but it doesn't happen without intention. Your 7 steps are excellent ideas.
I laughed out loud several times reading this. It’s so funny how ridiculous we can be! Elizabeth Oldfield uses the analogy of what a liturgy does, that it continually redirects our desires, to explain the kind of world we are living in. So I think you are right that we need to replace the unavoidable liturgies of enticement and distraction with new ones. Gratitude is certainly a good starting place.
Great point!!
Beautifully done. Thank you. I tend to start my day with Substack b/c if I get onto Pinterest or Amazon, I’m into that rabbit hole of Wanting Stuff I Don’t Need. I try to start my day with a Bible reading & some reflection & prayers. Works much better.
this resonated so much, thank you for putting it out in the world!
Shaking off the golden handcuffs to do something more useful and satisfying forced me through a bunch of these steps. Still declutterring :-D.
It’s great to entirely dump the Amazon app. That monopoly is too controlling.
I've been attempting to talk to my 10yo about mimetic desires (cause she has it bad). And in thinking about it, I wonder why everything and everyone we see doesn't elicit this response in us. Maybe it does for some, but I was thinking about why we aren't just lambasted with uncontrolled mimetic overload. We desire some things but detest other things. All of this is in an attempt to rid myself of doing things that others desire, but I don't think it's entirely possible. Probably the only things that we (exclusively) desire that are not mimetic have to do with our own bodily functions and even then we fulfil them in mimetic ways with food we are used to, and styles of toilets concurrent with our culture and beds that conform to our cultures standards. Mimesis continues to amaze and terrify me.
That’s such an interesting question! I read a paper for my status psychology project that said that our desire for status (which is very correlated with mimesis - though there are definitely some differences) that found that our desire for status or recognition or possessions can take on a “vertical” or “horizontal” direction. If it’s vertical, this is when we desire to have more than someone else. If it’s horizontal, that means we’re satisfied with having a similar amount as someone else because, for whatever reason, we tend to care less about the recognition concerning those specific objects in that specific realm. It’s almost like the difference between desiring “rank” and desiring to be “liked” or “fit in.”
Got to share this! So helpful.
Well crafted in content and format! Might have to save this for rereading from time to time.
Glad you liked it :)
I really long for a more simple lifestyle, but it is not completely in my control. A goal I continue toward into in the future. I find myself spending money to save time because I find time more scarce and valuable. I appreciate the article. It is nice to have money to dream with God and invest in the kingdom.
I literally cried when I read the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.
Glad you liked it :)
What a fantastic article. I have bookmarked it. Saved it. And copy-pasted sections into a notekeeper. I have written extensively on generosity and stewardship, but I have not made the points you make here. Well done!
So happy you liked it!!
This is excellent!
Thanks!!!
Thank you so much for this excellent article. I find that I don't seem to want physical things as much but there can definitely be greed when it comes to travel, education, views, likes, followers and music releases. I can even want more and more "friends" neglecting the ones I already have. I still use Instagram to share my music but I find the app very addictive and I have concerns about whether or not I should be investing in it as a follower of Jesus. I'm glad to find like-minded people here on Substack. Would love to hear your thoughts on how to engage with social media in a healthy way.
So happy you liked it!
I wrote this article about how to engage in social media in a healthy way:
https://open.substack.com/pub/griffingooch/p/how-to-share-content-without-losing?r=2mvy4l&utm_medium=ios
This is my model for how to engage with the majority of social media, but I do have different rules for Substack because I find it less addictive.
Ah, perfect! What an answer to prayer.
Griffin, love this so much, man! My wife has really challenged us in this area, and I’m so grateful for it.
Love that the data supports the Biblical challenge to live simply :)
Have you read much of Comer’s Practicing the Way? I’ve heard he speaks on simplicity, but I haven’t read the book or gone through the course myself!
I have!! The simplicity section was really brief though! He did a more full series on it at Bridgetown back in 2020 though that was really beautiful.
BRO! This is a heavy-hitting article. Love reading your stuff, Griffin.
Thanks so much!! And thank you for the Marcuse quote - that’s basically the central idea I built the rest of the article around!
Such a great article-and I love your last point - gratitude! Being grateful for all the good gifts that God gives us. This morning, I am grateful for your article-it really made me think. Unfortunately I do have to order something from Amazon today-but trust me, it’s a need, not a want-🤣
Good analysis. My years in radio exposed me to advertising and how prevalent and powerful t is. Now I intentionally mute or avoid ads all I can. I've learned some of what it is to be content, but it doesn't happen without intention. Your 7 steps are excellent ideas.