by Fian Rizkyan Surya Pambuka
Behavior FOMO or Fear of Missing Out is a term that is widely echoed on social media today, describing individuals who follow what is trending or viral. The term that actually appeared in 2004 by Patrick J. McGinnis in the United States, is now booming again in Indonesia. Actually, there are other terms such as FOBO (fear of a better only) and FODA (fear of doing anything) that influence FOMO. In short, FOMO is fear, anxiety, or worry about missing out. Generally, society may be sufficient with this short definition. Therefore, we need to know that there are two important elements that drive the formation of FOMO behavior. These elements are perception and inclusion. Perception is what drives individuals to believe that there is something better and inclusion is a biological condition of humans that is programmed to seek recognition and avoid exclusion. Modernity has made it easier for humans to compare themselves with others through social media. For example, let’s refer to them as A who has never exercised before. He often sees that on social media that there is a trend of running among young people. A’s friends have followed the trend by running every afternoon. Naturally, A also wants to follow his friends, driven by the perception that if he joins, he will get recognition and if not he will be ostracized. In fact, this perception of recognition and ostracization does not necessarily happen. However, it is not wrong to have FOMO on something good and useful like sports. However, if FOMO is only to present content (to buy a Strava jockey) what’s the point?
Borrowing a term from Abraham Maslow (Humanist Psychology Figure), humans try to actualize themselves as an effort to fulfill their existential needs and become the best version of themselves. There are psychological aspects in the 2nd to 4th hierarchy in achieving self-actualization, one of which is a form of appreciation or recognition. If humans need self-actualization, FOMO behavior is one way to gain recognition or appreciation and avoid ostracization, thus helping them climb the ladder to self-actualization..
Getting recognition so as not to be ostracized is a human need as a social being. The desired feeling from recognition is one of pleasure and happiness, as well as an effort to avoid the pain, sadness, and anxiety associated with exclusion. Then what kind of happiness is desired with this FOMO behavior?
Aristotle in his work “Nicomachean Ethic” translated by W.D. Ross (1925), explains important things about eudaimonic happiness. Eudaimonic happiness is the result of self-wisdom, a middle ground between excess and deficiency, not just a subjective condition of getting pleasure and leaving sadness. This type of happiness emphasizes a meaningful life. On the other hand, Aristippus (Philosopher of the Hedonist School) has a view of hedonistic happiness–happiness obtained from material pleasure, or happiness achieved through the path of pleasure obtained from sensory pleasure.
Based on these two criteria for happiness, the happiness that appears after FOMO tends to be hedonistic happiness. Seeking as much pleasure as possible and as little suffering as possible is a characteristic of hedonistic happiness. Then, will every FOMO behavior be anchored in hedonistic pleasure?
Humans are dynamic multisystem creatures consisting of physical, cognitive, and emotional behaviours or emotional components. Every day, we get a tsunami of information when consuming social media. At that time we also imagine and imagine what to do when there is an interesting and exciting event happening somewhere else. According to Patrick J. McGinnis, if the questions arise “is this available to me? Is there time and ability to do it?, is this my desire because everyone is doing it or because I really want to do it?, is this because of a realistic urge or just imaginative?”. The answer is yes to some of these questions, then it can be said that FOMO is starting to dominate perception. These questions arise in the human mind or cognition. These cognitive dynamics then influence feelings, causing feelings of worry, anxiety, and fear of being left behind. If you can do it, you will get recognition and “I’m happy”, if not “I’m sad” because you are left behind. This pleasure of The pleasure that is associated with hedonic happiness—does this pleasure last long, or is it just temporary?
Seligman (Positive Psychology Figure) uses the term ‘pleasure,’ which refers to pleasure consisting of basic feelings and sensory components. This pleasure is a priority for individuals who want to feel happiness in a short time. Pleasure has an addictive effect, individuals want to continue to seek pleasure, even pleasure that continues to increase. Because the first pleasure will feel ordinary if it happens often. The feeling of pleasure due to recognition from the first activity will not be the same if you do not do other activities that are greater than the first activity.
The anxiety that occurs as a cause of FOMO behavior can affect the perception of more sensory-pleasant decision making. This pleasure is a priority to obtain hedonic happiness in a short time. This pleasure is a priority for getting hedonistic happiness in a short time. Pleasure or pleasure from FOMO becomes a positive emotion for individuals. Speaking of pleasure, God says in Al-Ghafir verse 39,”O my people, indeed the life of this world is only a (temporary) pleasure and indeed the hereafter is the eternal abode”.
The world becomes a place of temporary pleasures, so a more meaningful outlook on life is needed to get satisfaction in this world and in the afterlife as a Muslim. Aristotle offers a middle way: not always seeking meaning to the point of forgetting to be grateful for the pleasures we receive, nor neglecting to enjoy pleasures, while remembering that worldly pleasures are not eternal.
A Javanese Muslim philosopher named Sosrokartono explained the concept of an kantong kosong and tekad asih. An kantong kosong means an “empty pocket”, emptying the personal ego and reducing expectations that are only for personal interests. His efforts are to change negative perceptions that give rise to irrational thoughts, then fill them with compassionate determination. Tekad asih is a passion for spreading love to oneself, siblings, others, and the environment. This concept encourages humans to carry out centrifugal movements in their hearts, namely movements away from human ego and placing His Love as the axis of human movement.
Therefore, FOMO, which is not just about content but is truly experienced, is natural for humans as social beings.. However, it is important to remember whether FOMO is just for momentary pleasure or whether it will become a passion in achieving our goals or ideals. Ask yourself and self-reflect before starting to follow what is trending. As a Muslim, realize whether it is a futile act that will only cause harm in the future or not. If it is positive, even if it is only done for a short time, it is not a problem, as long as it is in the right measure.
