# Exploring the Transhuman Experience of “FOMO” — The Fear of Missing Out
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Chapter 1: The Quest for Answers
What does it mean to be human if not to be a wandering creature in search of the answers to life’s profound questions? Over the centuries, humanity has grappled with the harsh realities of mortality, including disease, conflict, and deprivation. Yet, with each passing year, we seem to draw nearer to a glimmer of hope for our collective existence. What might this hope entail?
For techno-philosopher Jason Silva, this hope manifests as the evolution of technology. Our natural inclination to seek instant gratification often leads to anxiety, a phenomenon that Arthur Conan Doyle once described as “our unending search, our abiding desire for immortality.” Silva posits that this anxiety is intertwined with “FOMO”—the fear of missing out!
Section 1.1: The Roots of Anxiety
Dan Ariely, a professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University, points out that this “anxiety that lingers in the back of our minds is triggered by the fear of regret... that we’ve made poor choices regarding how we allocate our time.” Why do these fears dominate our thoughts? It could be attributed to the finite nature of our lives, which restricts our experiences like sand slipping through an hourglass. Would we dwell on our past choices as frequently if life were not so fleeting?
“You do not need God and Death as precursors to immortality. You need Life as a great fire, setting you and everything around you into a blaze.”
— Clare Morgan, A Book for All and None
This is a question humanity has pondered since time immemorial, or at least since we gained the cognitive capacity for self-awareness and an understanding of our mortality. FOMO encapsulates the struggle between our biological constraints and our longing for more. This social anxiety reflects a deep thirst for ultimate knowledge and experience, yet we find ourselves hindered by the very nature of aging. This leads to the crucial question: is there a solution?
Section 1.2: The Path Forward
As we advance, making remarkable scientific breakthroughs and crafting innovative technologies, our journey toward enhanced longevity becomes increasingly tangible. FOMO is merely a manifestation of our evolving mindset. A mere two centuries ago, our life expectancies were significantly shorter, and our world experiences were limited. Through groundbreaking science and technology, we’ve managed to ease our anxieties and extend our boundaries.
Soon, we will harness even more sophisticated scientific advancements to overcome the limitations imposed by our biology. We are poised to break free from the confines of our organic existence and unleash our fullest potential; we will cast off the chains of aging and restricted experiences and transform into the very deities of whom we spun tales to soothe our fears. The human experience of FOMO represents the Transhuman aspiration for life!
Chapter 2: The Future Awaits
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