THE DIDEROT EFFECTDenis Diderot, an 18th century French philosopher, authored the essay, “Regrets on Parting with My Old Dressing Gown.” His misgivings began after he received an expensive dressing gown as a gift. Delighted with the striking gown, he discarded his old one. A few days later, while wearing the exquisite gown, he noticed that the study in which he usually relaxed appeared “shabby”. Feeling dissatisfied with the threadbare tapestries, old desk, worn chairs, and outdated bookshelves, he replaced them with new furnishings.
To his surprise, Diderot soon found himself uncomfortable with the elegant and stylish furnishings in his study. The room that had previously brought him hours of solace was now little more than a sterilized showpiece. It was then that he realized that this regrettable transformation began with the “imperious scarlet robe [which] forced everything else to conform with its own elegant tone.”
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The inclination to upgrade possessions in order to achieve a sense of conformity is now known as the “Diderot Effect.” Many businesses depend on this tendency in order to tempt buyers to make additional purchases following an initial one. We typically experience this when we enter a store intending to buy “one or two things”, but leave with full shopping cart. (Don’t ask how often this happens to me.)
The temptation to acquire more or better possessions, especially during the holidays, has distracted and spiritually sidetracked many Christians, including yours truly. We need to be alert to this tendency, and pray for God’s help to resist it.
“Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” (Luke 8:14)
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:14-17)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
To his surprise, Diderot soon found himself uncomfortable with the elegant and stylish furnishings in his study. The room that had previously brought him hours of solace was now little more than a sterilized showpiece. It was then that he realized that this regrettable transformation began with the “imperious scarlet robe [which] forced everything else to conform with its own elegant tone.”
**************************************************************************************************
The inclination to upgrade possessions in order to achieve a sense of conformity is now known as the “Diderot Effect.” Many businesses depend on this tendency in order to tempt buyers to make additional purchases following an initial one. We typically experience this when we enter a store intending to buy “one or two things”, but leave with full shopping cart. (Don’t ask how often this happens to me.)
The temptation to acquire more or better possessions, especially during the holidays, has distracted and spiritually sidetracked many Christians, including yours truly. We need to be alert to this tendency, and pray for God’s help to resist it.
“Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” (Luke 8:14)
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:14-17)
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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