The Diderot Effect

Are you a slave to your possessions?

Do your possessions form part of your identity?

How easy is it to fall into a trap where one new purchase begets another, and another, and another...?

We explore the Diderot Effect - so called after an essay written in 1769 by French philosopher, writer, and art critic who served as one of the most influential figures of the Age of Enlightenment. "Regrets On Parting With My Old Dressing Gown" details how receiving a luxurious scarlet robe as a gift made his existing belongings look shabby, sparking an out-of-control spending spiral to replace all his old furniture to match the new garment.

In the episode Jono references that he first heard about it from James Clear who went on to include it in his highly successful book, Atomic Habits.

Episode Summary

00:00 Summer Break Notice

00:51 What Is the Diderot Effect

04:09 Diderot and the Dressing Gown

06:05 When Stuff Owns You

09:47 Our Diderot Moments

13:45 Tools Cars and Tech Spirals