There is a thought experiment that goes like this.
You wake up tomorrow to find you’re the last person on Earth. All systems and utilities keep functioning, all shops stay stocked. But other humans are nowhere to be found.
What would you do?
You’d be very lonely. But we’ll ignore that aspect for this particular consideration.
Very human desires
In this world, you could have the car of your dreams. Heck, you could have every sports car. And a private jet(s). You could live in the White House, wear a different Rolex every day, and keep the Hope Diamond on your kitchen table.
But with nobody else around, would you still want these things?
- Money would have no value since you don’t need it to buy anything (unless your dream is to go swimming in a pile of coins like Scrooge McDuck. In which case, go for it!).
- You might dress in expensive designer clothes. But with no one to ogle you, you’d start dressing for comfort and would stop caring how you looked. If you’re someone who wears makeup, styles their hair or puts cologne on, would you continue to?
- You could arrange a needlessly lavish wedding in Westminster Abbey. But without any guests, why bother? (…besides the fact that you’re already marrying nobody.)
Over time, you’d swap that luxury car for something more practical to drive. You’d move out of that palace and live in a home that’s easier to maintain. All this leads to an odd conclusion.
The real source of value
William Irvine gives us this thought experiment in On Desire. It would be an uncomfortable world. But it makes a point about the effort we spend trying to impress others.
I’m not suggesting we stop showering and dressing up, or that we shouldn’t aim to have a stylish car or house. But I do love how this thought makes us consider, especially in the case of the unattainable expensive, if we really want or need things.
After all, we should aim to control our desires before they control us. 🙂
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