SO GOOD QUOTES

The Diderot Effect

In the 18th century, the French philosopher Denis Diderot published “Regrets on Parting with My Old Dressing Gown.” An essay recounting when he received a scarlet gown from a friend as a gift. Upon receiving the gown he realized that the rest of his possessions seemed inferior by comparison.

“In its shelter I feared neither the clumsiness of a valet, nor my own, neither the explosion of fire nor the spilling of water. I was the absolute master of my old robe. I have become the slave of the new one.”

– Denis Diderot

He began to replace his belongings with those he felt were more suited to the higher caliber of his newly acquired gown. His straw chair was replaced with one made of leather; the wooden table for a nice bureau; and an empty space in the corner was filled with a brand new writing desk.

Wikipedia describes this process as “The introduction of a new possession that is deviant from the consumer’s current complementary goods can result in a process of spiraling consumption.”

Once we attain something of higher value, we then desire other things of higher value that compliment it. Such as when we buy a new house and feel the need to furnish it with new furniture and do away with our older, less aesthetically appealing furniture. We compare what we have and opt for the better option of the two (cycle of relativity).

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