The Sense of Deprivation and FOMO in a Growing Delusional World
In the modern era, the sense of deprivation and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) have become common emotional afflictions that cut across social, economic, and cultural divides. These phenomena, amplified by the hyper-connectedness of the digital age, are symptoms of a broader existential malaise within a world increasingly governed by delusions. By delusions, I mean the layers of unreality—projected through technology, culture, and societal expectations — that obscure our genuine experiences, values, and connection to the self. This essay examines the philosophical underpinnings, psychological roots, and social drivers of deprivation and FOMO, while integrating scientific insights from neuroscience and cognitive psychology to offer a holistic understanding of this pervasive modern condition.
The Philosophical Roots : From Existentialism to Postmodernism
Historically, the sense of deprivation is deeply rooted in the human experience. Philosophers from Søren Kierkegaard to Friedrich Nietzsche have explored the tension between an individual’s desire for authentic existence and the pull of societal norms. Kierkegaard’s concept of the “despair of possibility” resonates with the modern understanding of FOMO — a despair stemming from an overwhelming number of choices, all promising meaning, yet all ultimately incapable of delivering fulfillment. Similarly, Nietzsche’s critique of “herd mentality” echoes the disillusionment of those who conform to societal expectations, only to realize they have sacrificed their autonomy and sense of self.
In more recent times, Jean Baudrillard’s theory of “hyperreality” has become crucial to understanding the delusional world that exacerbates deprivation and FOMO. Hyperreality refers to a condition in which reality is replaced by a simulated version — an endless proliferation of images, signs, and symbols that no longer refer to anything real. Social media is a key driver of hyperreality, constructing an illusion of perfect lives, endless opportunities, and unattainable success. This incessant bombardment of idealized realities creates an existential rift, where the individual’s genuine desires and goals become clouded by the pursuit of fantasies presented as attainable.
The Neuroscience of Deprivation and FOMO : Hijacking the Brain
From a neuroscientific perspective, deprivation and FOMO are intricately linked to the brain’s reward systems. The dopaminergic system — a network in the brain that governs motivation, reward, and reinforcement learning — plays a central role in how we perceive potential gains or losses. Dopamine is often referred to as the “reward” neurotransmitter, but in reality, its function is to drive behavior towards the anticipation of reward. When we scroll through social media, for instance, the brain releases dopamine in response to potential rewards, such as a like, comment, or new experience, even if these rewards are ultimately unsatisfactory.
This anticipatory mechanism is closely related to FOMO. The feeling of “missing out” on a rewarding experience triggers anxiety and discomfort in the brain. As shown in studies of social comparison theory, individuals who perceive others as having better experiences — whether in travel, relationships, or career — suffer from heightened feelings of deprivation. The brain’s reward system is thus hijacked by the continual presentation of possibilities that we either do not have or cannot access. Over time, this leads to chronic dissatisfaction, as the brain becomes conditioned to seek external validation and novel experiences, leaving little room for contentment with the present.
Cognitive Dissonance and the Delusion of Choice
Psychologically, the delusional world in which we live fuels FOMO and deprivation through the paradox of choice. Cognitive psychologist Barry Schwartz has argued that the proliferation of options — whether in consumer products, lifestyles, or even identities — leads to choice overload, a cognitive state where individuals are paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision. The constant exposure to others’ seemingly perfect lives exacerbates this paralysis, creating a feedback loop of indecision, dissatisfaction, and self-reproach. In this way, the modern condition is one in which too many choices lead to a sense of deprivation, as the sheer volume of possibilities makes it impossible to feel content with any single outcome.
This state of deprivation is compounded by the illusion of control that modern technology presents. We are deluded into thinking that, through enough planning, effort, or optimization, we can achieve a perfect version of our lives. Social media algorithms, search engines, and personalized content feeds all foster the belief that with just the right information or the right choice, we can avoid the pitfalls of life’s unpredictability. But this illusion of control is deeply flawed; life is inherently uncertain, and the pursuit of perfection only deepens the sense of deprivation when reality inevitably falls short of the ideal.
Social Comparison and the Erosion of Authentic Selfhood
FOMO, as a social construct, is deeply embedded in the psychology of social comparison. Leon Festinger’s social comparison theory posits that humans have an innate drive to evaluate themselves against others to gauge their own success, abilities, and worth. In the past, such comparisons were limited to one’s immediate social circle. However, with the advent of the internet and social media, the scope of comparison has expanded exponentially. Now, individuals are not merely comparing themselves to neighbors or colleagues, but to a global array of curated lives — often enhanced by filters, exaggeration, and selective disclosure.
The constant comparison to these idealized versions of others contributes to the erosion of authentic selfhood. Individuals feel deprived not only of material goods or experiences but also of intrinsic worth. This deprivation manifests as a fundamental dissatisfaction with who we are, leading to a perpetual desire to reinvent or optimize ourselves in the image of others. This erosion of authenticity can be understood through the lens of existential philosophy: the more we seek external validation and conform to societal expectations, the further we drift from the authentic self that is capable of true fulfillment and meaning.
The Role of Consumer Capitalism in FOMO and Deprivation
The modern economy, particularly the consumer-capitalist framework, thrives on FOMO and deprivation. Advertising is designed to manipulate the psychological mechanisms of scarcity and status, constantly signaling that one must have the newest product, experience, or lifestyle to avoid being left behind. This constant pressure to consume creates an artificial sense of deprivation, where needs are manufactured by external forces rather than arising from genuine desire. The capitalist imperative to create ever-increasing demand feeds into FOMO, as individuals are bombarded with messages that they are incomplete or insufficient without the next best thing.
In this context, deprivation becomes a state of mind engineered by the very structure of the economy. The human experience is reduced to a series of transactions, with happiness and fulfillment contingent upon external acquisitions rather than internal growth. This delusion is particularly dangerous because it obscures the true sources of well-being — relationships, purpose, creativity — replacing them with fleeting and superficial satisfactions.
Escaping the Cycle of Deprivation and FOMO
Breaking free from the cycle of deprivation and FOMO requires both philosophical reflection and practical action. First, individuals must engage in a process of self-examination, as advocated by existential philosophers like Heidegger and Sartre, to confront the question of what constitutes an authentic life. Only by distinguishing between externally imposed desires and genuine aspirations can individuals begin to dismantle the delusions that drive their sense of deprivation.
Second, from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, individuals can practice mindfulness and gratitude, techniques that have been shown to reduce feelings of deprivation and FOMO by cultivating presence and appreciation for what one already has. Neuroscientific studies support this approach, indicating that mindfulness alters the brain’s reward circuits, promoting a greater sense of contentment and reducing the compulsive seeking of external rewards.
Finally, on a societal level, there must be a collective shift away from consumer-driven definitions of success and toward more sustainable, community-oriented values. This involves not only challenging the narratives presented by media and corporations but also creating spaces for genuine human connection, creativity, and introspection. Only by addressing the root causes of deprivation and FOMO — the delusional structures of modern life — can individuals hope to reclaim a sense of authenticity and fulfillment.
Conclusion
The sense of deprivation and FOMO in the modern world is not merely a psychological quirk but a profound symptom of an existential crisis fueled by societal delusion. At its core, this crisis stems from the tension between the human desire for meaning and connection and the artificial, hyperreal narratives imposed by technology, consumerism, and social comparison. To transcend this condition, we must question the very foundations of our reality — both as individuals and as a society — and seek out more authentic ways of being in the world. Only then can we break free from the cycle of deprivation and reclaim a sense of purpose, agency, and fulfillment in an age of delusion.
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Disclaimer : Everything written above, I owe to the great minds I’ve encountered and the voices I’ve heard along the way.