Three Layers of Desire and Fear

Thoughts on how we interact with society

2026 · 05 · 01 — written for myself

The Three-Layer Structure

If we stratify the world, we get a few levels of people. To keep it simple, three:

Top preserve class Middle stable · climb up Bottom survive · be soothed Desire Fear Each layer is driven by its own desires and fears
Fig 1 · Three layers — each with its own predicament

Every Layer Dissipates

If we stay inside the stratification, we are constantly clouded by desire and fear.

But step outside, and you can see the differences. Each layer is forever leaking energy because of these desires and fears.

Top preserve class Middle stable · climb up Bottom survive · be soothed $ → outflow $ → outflow $ → outflow Each layer is driven by its own fears and desires $ flowing out = dissipation
Fig 2 · Every layer dissipates

I Absorb — and I Dissipate Too

What I mean is: while they are inside their game, they have to pay for their fears and desires. What we do is become part of that game, and absorb what flows out from their fears and desires.

Top preserve class Middle stable · climb up Bottom survive · be soothed $ → elsewhere $ I absorb $ → elsewhere Me $ I dissipate society I absorb their dissipation → income · I dissipate too → back to society Business = this energy exchange, measured in money
Fig 3 · I absorb their dissipation · I dissipate back into society

Wealth = Absorbed − Dissipated

So the wealth I actually hold is what I absorb minus what I dissipate myself.

Dissipation I absorb (income) $$$ − My own dissipation (expenses) $$ = My wealth (the gap) $ Wealth isn't conjured from thin air · it's absorption minus dissipation Want more? → absorb more (↑ in Fig 3) · or dissipate less (↓ in Fig 3)
Fig 4 · Wealth = Absorbed − Dissipated

The Three Variables of Absorption

What you absorb actually equals: number of users × intensity of their emotional energy × their ability to pay.

Users ↑ more = better × Emotional energy ↑ stronger = better × Pay ability ↑ stronger = better = Absorbed $$$ Three terms multiplied · if any = 0, the whole thing = 0 Push all three levers · the effect is multiplicative
Fig 5 · Absorbed = Users × Emotional energy × Pay ability

Step Inside the Customer's Game

We step inside the customer's game and look at his dissipation.

First, he has to dissipate. This is fixed, independent of anyone's will; he is forever dissipating. So we never need to worry about not having customers — what you should worry about is that you haven't found him, you haven't triggered the emotion, or his ability to pay can't match what you offer.

Second, the form of his dissipation will change. Fear and desire are eternal, but their manifestations evolve over time, so the form of our product has to evolve too.

Third, if you want to absorb his dissipation, you have to make him feel that your product and your identity are a fitting place to put it. This is not a rational decision. It is emotional.

customer Step inside his game · notice three things ① Inevitable ∞ He dissipates forever no one's will can stop it So don't fear "no customers" Fear these instead: · you haven't found him · no emotion triggered · pay ability can't match ② Forms shift housing → crypto → AI time → Fear/desire is eternal but their forms shift → products must shift follow the form of dissipation stay still = get left behind ③ Emotional match Whom he picks = emotional not rational price-shopping → make him feel your product + identity "fittingly" absorbs it
Fig 6 · Step inside the customer's game · three things to notice

Value Is Not Mine to Set

An example: I have an industry report to sell to merchants. I'm hesitant — is $499 too expensive?

Let's run the extremes.

What about $30? If I were the merchant, would I want to spend $30 on an industry report? I wouldn't even bother to give it a glance. That is exactly what we mean — your product cannot absorb his dissipation.

What about $3,000? I'd bet that as long as the user pool is large enough, you can find at least one person willing to pay. Because in his head, an industry report just should cost about that.

That is what we mean: price is not set by the producer. First make him feel that your product and your identity are a fitting place for his dissipation; only then does the question "is it worth it?" even arise.

Same industry report · two extremes watch the merchant's gut reaction $30 zzZ "not worth a glance" no attention spent ✗ cannot absorb dissipation $3,000 yes "that's the right price" fits his expected range ✓ absorbs dissipation fittingly Price isn't set by the producer · it's set by the buyer's expected range First feel "fitting" · only then does "worth it" enter the chat
Fig 7 · Two extreme prices · two reactions

Conclusion: Find an Identity That Absorbs

The real goal is to find an identity in society that absorbs the dissipation of some part of society.

We first have to look like someone who can absorb that dissipation, so that they hand it over without hesitation.

In this process, several elements work together:

As long as these are met, we should absorb as much dissipation as we can, and expand our take.

The real goal find an "identity" that absorbs some part of society's dissipation ① Identity construction look like someone who fittingly absorbs this dissipation × ② Reach find the people whose dissipation needs absorbing × ③ Pay ability × Emotional energy enough to support your absorption (a math problem) = Absorption succeeds he hands his dissipation over without hesitation Absorb as much as you can → expand the take that is the master plan
Fig 8 · The master plan · three elements multiplied → absorption succeeds → take expands