Does anyone know of anyone who has actually used ’s Gervais Principle (ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the) to materially change their career situation?
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Put another way: there is a category of explanatory theory that delights but is not actionable (nor is it supposed to be). I put René Girard’s mimetic desire stuff in this category. I expect the Gervais Principle to be similar but am curious if anyone knows otherwise.
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Well, Girard said that Shakespeare, Stendhal, Dostoïevski, handled his mimetic theory; it has been actionable for them.
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I wouldn't dispute mimetic theory is “artistically actionable” in that it can inform world-building. The Gervais Principle was obviously actionable for Ricky Gervais in the same way. But I’m talking about ways non-artists would change their behavior in response to such theories.
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huh afaik ricky gervais hasn't even heard of the gervais principle. I named it that in his honor, but obviously he came up with the characters and plot of the show before I came up with the theory
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Yes. I doubt Shakespeare heard of mimetic theory either ;) I believe @Domlrigaray was saying the substance of mimetic theory was “actionable” for Shakespeare et. al. even before Girard formalized it, ’cos their works incorporated it. If we allow that, then yeah, same for Gervais.
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Yeah I don't find that kind of retconning useful, but Girard has clearly been actionable to Thiel and those influenced by him at least, as is clear from the specifics of things he's done (go after Gawker, support Trump, fund various subcultures, hereticon etc)
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I hadn't heard of this connection before!
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huh... Thiel is the main reason Girard is known at all. Without him, he'd be a totally obscure and irrelevant philosopher.
Maybe in your circles? Not to say your circles aren’t more relevant than mine…I’m from a heavily religious background.
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To be known because Girard made Thiel's fortune says too that the mimetic theory works. But if you admit such results it's strange to dub him an irrelevant philosopher. There's many good things to do with his theory: I converted to Xtianity, worked out a theory of sexuality...
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I’m not saying it made his fortune. I’m saying he claims it has guided him and the influence is objectively visible in some decisions. I strongly doubt the theory is any good for guiding money making or investing.
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