This project originated from a reflection on the limitations of rational models in explaining human decision-making.
With a background in accounting and finance, I was trained to approach problems through logic, structure, and predictability. However, when applying this framework to significant life decisions—such as career paths, relationships, and identity formation—it became clear that these choices are rarely made through purely rational calculation. Instead, they are shaped by a complex interplay of psychological motivations and social influences.
From this observation, the central question of this research emerged: How does desire influence the way individuals navigate uncertainty in their lives?
To situate this question within a broader context, I engaged with several theoretical frameworks. Bauman’s concept of liquid modernity suggests that contemporary society is characterised by instability and constant change, requiring individuals to adapt without long-term certainty (Bauman, 2000).
In this sense, uncertainty becomes a structural condition rather than an exception. Meanwhile, Lacan argues that desire is structured around a sense of lack, meaning individuals are continuously driven to pursue new goals without ever reaching complete satisfaction (Lacan, 1977). Bourdieu’s concept of habitus further complicates this by showing that desires are not purely individual, but shaped by social and cultural contexts (Bourdieu, 1984).
Together, these perspectives suggest that desire does not resolve uncertainty; rather, it shapes how individuals engage with it.
To explore this relationship in practice, I designed an experimental intervention using the life simulation game The Sims 4. Simulation environments replicate key aspects of everyday life—such as work, relationships, and personal development—while allowing decision-making processes to be observed under relatively controlled conditions.
In the simulation, I created a character with a defined background, including economic status, education, and personal aspirations. As the game progressed, the character developed evolving desires—such as career success, relationships, financial stability, and personal fulfilment. These desires directly shaped decision-making. For example, prioritising career advancement improved income and status but weakened social connections, while focusing on relationships introduced uncertainty in professional and financial stability. Each desire-driven decision opened new possibilities while simultaneously generating new uncertainties.
Over time, a cyclical pattern emerged: Desire drives choices, choices generate uncertainty, and uncertainty gives rise to new desires.
An additional layer of reflection emerged through my role as the researcher. During the simulation, I used cheat codes to alter conditions such as money and emotional states. This revealed that the experiment was not neutral. My own desires—to optimise outcomes, reduce risk, or create an ideal trajectory—actively shaped the simulation.
This raises a critical question: Can the act of controlling a system itself be understood as a form of desire?
The use of cheat codes reflects broader social behaviour, where individuals rely on external tools to manage uncertainty (Beck, 1992). However, even when uncertainty was temporarily reduced, new desires and decision pathways quickly emerged.
This suggests that desire and uncertainty are not opposing forces, but mutually generative. Desire produces possibilities, and these possibilities inevitably introduce new uncertainties. At the same time, uncertainty stimulates further desire, driving continuous engagement with different life trajectories.
By combining theoretical frameworks with simulation-based experimentation, this project not only deepens the understanding of decision-making under uncertainty, but also demonstrates the potential of digital simulation as a creative research method for exploring complex human behaviour.
References:
Bauman, Z. (2000)
Liquid Modernity.Beck, U. (1992)
Risk Society.Bourdieu, P. (1984)
Distinction.Lacan, J. (1977) Écrits.
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