Luke Burgis - Böcker

René Girard was one of the most influential interdisciplinary thinkers of the 20th century. His mimetic theory—which argues that human desire is fundamentally imitative and that rivalry and conflict arise from this imitation—cuts across philosophy, anthropology, history, literary criticism, theology, and more. To manage the destructive potential of mimetic rivalry, societies resort to violence, often in the form of what he called the scapegoat mechanism. The implications of his theory for today’s world are profound.This volume brings together essays that place Girard in conversation with other major thinkers, including Dietrich von Hildebrand, Luigi Giussani, and Marshall McLuhan, while exploring his insights on technology, education, and race. Though Girard spent most of his career as a professor at Stanford, his influence extends beyond academia. His thought has shaped Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, who recognized the impact of mimetic dynamics on innovation, competition, and value creation.Many of the essays in Be Not Conformed originated from the NOVITĀTE Conference at the Catholic University of America held in November 2023 to mark the centennial of Girard’s birth. The book’s subtitle— René Girard at the Nexus of Athens, Jerusalem, and Silicon Valley—reflects his synthesis of classical philosophy, theological depth, and modern technological discourse.Bishop Robert Barron has called Girard a potential future "father of the Church," underscoring the lasting significance of his work. This volume offers an exploration of Girard’s legacy, revealing why his ideas remain essential for understanding today’s cultural and intellectual landscape. You will find in the pages of Be Not Conformed a glimpse of the width, breadth, depth, and grandeur of this singular thinker.

‘Burgis shows you how to be authentically yourself’ – Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical Candor'The One and the Ninety-Nine offers a compelling exploration of how to develop a healthier sense of self in an age of social contagion and fragmented identities. A timely and much-needed book.' –Anne-Laure Le Cunff, neuroscientist and author of Tiny Experiments.How do you become your true self without losing everyone else?We are living in an era of crisis where becoming a whole person means navigating constant external pressure. Some of us dissolve into group identities, while others withdraw into temporary and sometimes dangerous online collectives. Both are symptoms of the same problem: a fragmented sense of self in an age of mass influence.One and the Ninety-Nine is your essential roadmap to forging a stable, authentic identity in the face of coercion and conformity. Through compelling and original insights, author Luke Burgis dives into philosophy, psychology and personal experience, offering a clear guide for engaging with chaotic modern society both in our personal and working lives.Discover how to build a values-driven life of meaning, not one dictated by external expectations, and thrive in the space between the one and the many.Burgis offers us a powerful call to action, and a guide to:- Rejecting passive conformity.- Rediscovering the depth of your personality.- Choosing a life that is both truly personal and deeply connected.Live freely, and comfortably. Be the One, not the Ninety-Nine.‘A guide to living with virtue in the hardest circumstances, and finding deep joy’ – Arthur C. Brooks, Harvard professor and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author‘Social contagion is the most important phenomenon of our time. The One and the Ninety-Nine is the place to go to learn about it’ – Tyler Cowen, author of The Complacent Class

‘Burgis shows you how to be authentically yourself’ – Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical Candor'The One and the Ninety-Nine offers a compelling exploration of how to develop a healthier sense of self in an age of social contagion and fragmented identities. A timely and much-needed book.' –Anne-Laure Le Cunff, neuroscientist and author of Tiny Experiments.How do you become your true self without losing everyone else?We are living in an era of crisis where becoming a whole person means navigating constant external pressure. Some of us dissolve into group identities, while others withdraw into temporary and sometimes dangerous online collectives. Both are symptoms of the same problem: a fragmented sense of self in an age of mass influence.One and the Ninety-Nine is your essential roadmap to forging a stable, authentic identity in the face of coercion and conformity. Through compelling and original insights, author Luke Burgis dives into philosophy, psychology and personal experience, offering a clear guide for engaging with chaotic modern society both in our personal and working lives.Discover how to build a values-driven life of meaning, not one dictated by external expectations, and thrive in the space between the one and the many.Burgis offers us a powerful call to action, and a guide to:- Rejecting passive conformity.- Rediscovering the depth of your personality.- Choosing a life that is both truly personal and deeply connected.Live freely, and comfortably. Be the One, not the Ninety-Nine.‘A guide to living with virtue in the hardest circumstances, and finding deep joy’ – Arthur C. Brooks, Harvard professor and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author‘Social contagion is the most important phenomenon of our time. The One and the Ninety-Nine is the place to go to learn about it’ – Tyler Cowen, author of The Complacent Class

A groundbreaking exploration of why we want what we want, and a toolkit for freeing ourselves from chasing unfulfilling desires.Humans don’t desire anything independently. Human desire is mimetic – we imitate what other people want. This affects the way we choose partners, friends, careers, clothes and travel destinations. Mimetic desire is responsible for the formation of our very identities. It explains the enduring relevancy of Shakespeare’s plays, why Peter Thiel decided to be the first investor in Facebook, and why our world is growing more divided as it becomes more connected.Drawing on his experience as an entrepreneur, teacher and student of classical philosophy, Luke Burgis shares tactics that help turn blind wanting into intentional wanting – to be more in control of the things we want, and to find more meaning in our work and lives.