The Diderot effect is a social phenomenon linked to human desire and overconsumption, whereby obtaining a new possession leads to a desire for complementary products, creating an endless consumption cycle.
The effect, named after 18th-century French philosopher Denis Diderot, is the subject of his essay Regrets on Parting with My Old Dressing Gown.
In the essay, Diderot documents how purchasing a luxurious scarlet robe led him to desire new complementary possessions, eventually resulting in him spending more than he could afford, and losing money as a result.
Centuries later, the tale is still used to study the consumption habits of humans, and the tendency to seek a sense of unity among possessions.
The piece warns that if one possesses good taste but not the money to maintain such a lifestyle, the pursuit of products to maintain a sense of unity could lead to debt.
To avoid the phenomenon, one must recognise their wants, and make conscious choices regarding their desires based on their life’s mission.