Yep. Memetic desire is everywhere.
I was reading “Wanting” by Luke Burgis last night, recommended by nostr:npub18678fyrar7fg7gy77ggwsuk2cqe74ull38ng2v5x63werc63a70qw02kgq . The passage in the clip below reminded me of your “friend”. Like he had some form of mimesis/ mimetic desire towards you, and his dick move with your missus was all wrapped up in this.

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It’s the driving force of most everything we do as humans.