F.O.M.O. (A Worldwide Epidemic)

Back in 2000 a marketing strategist named Dan Herman wrote an article exploring a social epidemic he dubbed FOMO: Fear of Missing Out. He described this state as “a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent". This social anxiety is defined by "a desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing" or a fear of regret. which can lead to a compulsive concern that one might miss an opportunity for social interaction, a novel experience, profitable investment or other satisfying event. In 2013, the word was added to the Oxford English Dictionary and has since become part of our international lexicon.

Studies reckon that around 70% of all adults in the Western world suffer from the disturbing feeling that something may be happening that they are not part of.

Oxford University followed this up by publishing a full-scale academic study of this social phenomenon and discovered that FOMO disproportionately affects young people, especially males.

There are all kinds of clever little theories as to where this whole virus may have originated, from the Harvard Business School, to the dot-com boom, to the world trade center disaster. But the truth is, this glitch in our system can probably be traced waaaay back in our collective psyche.

I know the whole Eden myth is just that, a living metaphor for the lost element of our nature, but story or not, that myth was born in us for a reason. Eve's is hanging out beneath the apple tree - that one specific tree she was clearly warned not to eat the fruit of – and along slithers the serpent who tells her in no uncertain terms, that if she eats that fruit, she 'will be as God'; the implication being, she is not, at this present point, in that desired state. We can only assume that – living in a paradisaical state as they were, that she probably was in a divine place in herself. But she bought into The Devil's bullshit and so ensued our descent from the heavenly realm of True Nature.

The fact of the existence of this story points at something for us. And the moral couldn't be any clearer: We lean out of our true state to reach for some illusion. And when does this ever lead to good things? People who struggle with the FOMO virus do not know exactly what rewarding experience it is they are missing out on.

But none of this is news.

It's been around as an idea floating in the social unconscious for over a decade. My point in writing this article is to investigate further the more subtle levels of FOMO. For instance, in terms of the cognitive mechanics at work here, there seems to be an inherent belief that an interruption of what one is currently doing is more like a connection. This acts as an impetus for someone to constantly look for a better or more stimulating connection with others, discarding current connections to follow this new carrot. And this is just looking at things on a social level. This same dynamic can be present in our own cognitive growth processes, our own thinking and emotional patterns, where we constantly abandon one stream, in search of better or more viable currents to surf within ourselves. This can have a devastating effect on personal growth and inner stability.

You may have considered yourself to be above the whole FOMO thing, but if you are willing to take a deeper look with a more subtle gaze, you may find this virus present in the way you relate to yourself.

I know myself that I can be sitting in a very relaxed state, enjoying just being me and then this little cankerous feeling starts building; a restlessness of uncomfortable, nervous energy and it whispers in my mind (imitating my own voice) that I ought to be doing something else, moving myself closer to success and happiness. But seriously, I couldn't want for a more happy state than it is interrupting me from. It's craziness of the highest order.

Just to be clear, I am suggesting that FOMO should not be considered as just a social disease; it has infiltrated the essence and fabric of our being and really ought to be rooted out at all costs. In a relaxed and groovy fashion, of course. Otherwise the FoMO virus will start whispering in your ear that instead of relaxing and enjoying yourself you should be working on clearing out your subconscious FOMO issues.

Back to the social level, with the development of technology and social media we are provided far more opportunities to be socially engaged. But this, in turn has increased our reliance on the Internet. Now the FOMO virus has mutated into a psychological dependence to being online. This is serious. You must have at least seen folks getting deeply anxious when they can't access the internet on their phone for half an hour, the stress that results from this feeling of disconnection. There's really no difference, except that maybe the whole thing has intensified with the advent of this social media boom. And it must be clear that social media could never completely substitute face-to-face communication. A recent study by the Journal of Behavioral Addictions back in 2014 showed that there is a direct correlation between depression and anxiety with higher social media usage.

I don't believe anyone is entirely immune to this at some level of their being; if not with the internet and how many likes their post gets or how often they are re-tweeted, then with people in general and social engagement, and if not with people, then with opportunities or cash flow or creative endeavors.

While it may seem cute to some, innocuous even, I believe this epidemic is far from inconsequential. It speaks to deep psychological instability and the inability to rest in satisfaction with what is happening. It is ambition gone dreadfully wrong.

If you do recognize it in yourself, get to a doctor immediately... no, just kidding. The cure is within yourself as I am sure you already know. The key is in recognizing it when it arises in your body and mind and then releasing it. In this way, any action that occurs can come from a clear, fear-free place in yourself.

Personally I am patiently awaiting the dawn of the age of DNFT.

Don't Need a Fucking Thing.