Paul's Internet Landfill/ 2018/ Fear of Missing Out

Fear of Missing Out

Here is an embarrassing admission: I suffer from fear of missing out.

I am an ignoramus when it comes to popular cultural events. I haven't read Harry Potter books, seen any Star Wars film past the Phantom Menace, watched any of the golden age of TV, etc etc etc. I don't know the new music or the new trends. There are a lot of young twentysomethings at my new work so I see that Canada Goose jackets and jeans with big holes in the legs are in, but that's it.

I subscribe to too many podcasts and want to listen to them all. It's getting out of control. I have to drop some but can't let go.

I am a grumpy old person around all new technology. I don't even know how to use a smartphone. This is not a good look for a technology person.

I worry that missing out will make me more and more obsolete in this modern world. I think this is an appropriate worry. At the cult there would be people who were proud of not using computers or email. I viewed those people as stubborn and obsolete. Now I have become stubborn and obsolete too.

My attention is limited. Maybe there are some good guidelines about what would be worth catching up on, but I don't know what they are.

At the very least, I think I will have to start using social media and participating in the surveillance economy to get by. But I am still resistant.