Definition:
“Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) is a belief characterized by a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent. This fear often leads to a desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing.
Etymology:
The term “Fear of Missing Out” was coined in the early 2000s and became widely recognized with the advent of social media. It combines “fear,” referring to anxiety or apprehension, with “missing out,” implying exclusion from enjoyable or beneficial experiences.
Herd Mentality:
“Fear of missing out,” also known as the “must-see” phenomenon, is a prime example of herd mentality. When something notable happens, people often feel compelled to watch simply because others are doing so. For example, when someone gets hurt, a crowd quickly forms around the injured person, driven by curiosity and the urge to see what’s happening. Similarly, when a celebrity appears, people gather around, eager to catch a glimpse, regardless of their personal interest in the celebrity.
Children are often taught not to bring up treats unless they are willing to share with everyone, as kids tend to cry and feel unjustly treated if they don’t get any. Instead of teaching kids that the real world is not fair, and that there is a much greater reward in observing the herd mentality behavior of people fighting to always be the one who gets something, sees something, or does something. Very few seem to know this.
The “must-see” phenomenon is the most common tool used to control the herd, because when this phenomenon occurs, critical thinking does not.