RE: The "Diderot Effect" or How we Lose our Identity When we Buy New Objects
I didn't know it had a name.
I have a pretty useful wardrobe. 3 tops 3 bottoms and a skirt, any of them matches any of them. One pair of sports shoes and one pair of sandals, both match any combination of my clothes. This is my travelling wardrobe. Wash one set, wear the other.
I refused to buy a pair of long pants, refused to buy a pair of dress shoes, refused to buy jewellery (earrings, rings, necklaces, you name it). It seems like anything at all that I buy that would go towards a "work wardrobe" would require a complete overhaul of my original. A dress? That wouldn't go with either the sports shoe or the sandal. A pair of dress pants? That'd probably need a belt to go with it. A button-up shirt? That wouldn't go with shorts. Anything at all would spoil the harmony I've built up with my tiny functional wardrobe.
I've refused jobs that require even a little change in my wardrobe, as I know deep down that a little change will lead to a bigger change and eventually I wouldn't be myself.
In a way, I can say that jobs that require a wardrobe change don't fit my identity. If we bring this effect a little further, just like how the new robe started Diderot's trouble, a new job might start mine, even before I make any wardrobe change.
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Oh amazing, thanks! Continue to write interesting articles!
You are actually right. The Diderot's effect logic could be applied for new experiences also (like new job). Thank you for your thoughts :)