Luke Burgis on Mimetic Desire, Catholicism, and the Age of Social Contagion

Social contagion and the pursuit of identity define the modern human experience, often fueling widespread pessimism and a crisis of meaning. The "achievement subject" mentality, rooted in Western business culture, prioritizes constant productivity over fundamental human needs like family and community, contributing to declining fertility and social polarization. Artificial intelligence offers a potential *via negativa* for humanity, serving as a tool for personalized learning that may weaken mimetic social contagion by allowing individuals to pursue unique intellectual interests. Luke Burgis, author of *The One and the 99*, advocates for the creation of intermediary institutions—modeled after the historical Cluny monastery—to foster genuine community and aesthetic depth. By integrating the values of Athens, Jerusalem, and Silicon Valley, these networks provide a necessary counter-cultural framework to navigate the complexities of contemporary life and rediscover the good, the true, and the beautiful.