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 vacation destinations.
—René Girard
Obviously social influencers wouldn’t be successful if there weren’t a lot of truth in that statement.
But not everyone agrees:
To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.
— e e cummings
and
To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.
— Robert Louis Stevenson
I prefer Stevenson’s quote because it’s quieter and more gentle. Just a simple, “Sorry, this is what works for me.”
Do you agree with any of those quotes?
January 25, 2026
…I’ve never understood social influencers. Who care, I sure don’t!
I’m with you, but a lot of people follow them.
Good quotes I love quotes
I do too!
I do agree with these quotes, and like you..I prefer the quote made by Robert Louis Stevenson. I think it does have a softer tone. This quote needs to be seen in many public places… lol
🙂
I like the Stevenson quote too!
🙂
I’ve never been like other people which has made life hard at times, but I know no other way.
I know.
Probably up until about my 30’s, I cared more about social acceptance — acting the part of a chameleon, even. Thankfully, I’ve discovered how freeing it feels to walk my own path.
Yes. 🙂
I have been the odd one all of my memory. It was hard when I was young. I think I adapted my ways with parts of both Cummings and Stevenson.
🙂
The first quote about not desiring anything independently. I think that is only true for a few people. Especially when you think of artists and creative people. But it can be rather hard to be totally yourself what with trying to c0me up to other’s expectations.
It is hard.
Apparently, getting old freed me from caring so much what others think. My food choices, clothing, and furnishings do NOT reflect the values of others living here. But, one of the reasons I have become a hermit it to free myself from judgement of others so I must still care somewhat.
🙂
I agree with the last one. I remember in high school the pressure of caring too much about clothing, the kind I could never have, in 1961-1963 Gant shirts, madras everything, weigan shoes and capezio shoes were IN and I had none and could have none. back then it bothered me. now it doesn’t.
I have always done things my way, which is not always the best way to go..
🙂
My favorite is the last quote. I don’t follow what influencers say and frankly find them annoying. Sadly too many people do though
I know. 🙁