A classic example of rivalry -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 21:04:06 03/18/08 Tue
Author: Jfish
Subject: A classic example of rivalry

I've found another example of mimetic rivalry. Here's a short segment taken from the tv series Malcom in the Middle. In the segment, both the mom and another mother are completely the same, and that encourages an immediate crisis. You can see it here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9nHzvVsTVnA

Now we see from the video that the mothers get so close that their car doors run into each other. They are thrown in a similar situation and the slightest infraction, in this case a bump on the car, sets off an ugly bout of rivalry. What began as concern for their cars turns into a slug fest as each mother tries to outdo the other in destruction of their rival's car. Notice that each woman seems satisfied by their latest infraction and thinks the scene has ended, but it has in fact caused a feedback loop where the other makes it worse. Ultimately, the value of their cars, the object of their rivalry, becomes irrelevant as they gladly damage their own vehicles in the attempt to damage their opponents.
It's mimetic violence in action.

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Replies:

Re: A classic example of rivalry -- Erin Risch, 19:40:03 03/21/08 Fri