FOMO ... Good Guy or Bad Guy?

Social media is in the midst of criticism. It has been criticized for inducing FOMO (Fear OF MIssing Out) and not actually enjoying moments but simply going out to have something to post on social media. An article in the Times talks about the fact that when your at home, you can't help yourself but to read what everyone else is doing and feel the need to go out and participate. In this situation  social media is the good and bad guy. For one people use social media as a tool to induce FOMO while those at home can't help themselves but to feel it.

In my field of public relations social media and FOMO is an excellent tool. Although its sad to say FOMO is a benefit for publicists. In essence we post things hoping the public feel FOMO and in return come to our event. Now our overall goal is not to hope that people will have this negative feeling but instead feel motivated to come out and have a good time and experience what put company has to offer.

Rap star Drake had an interesting view on this idea and is being heavily criticized for his point. Apparently Drake has negative feelings towards tumblr and twitter and despises what social media has evolved into. In essence he feels that people are using social media to portray fake lifestyles and others are living vicariously through them. He compares tumblr to the click-y cool girls on High School. He also shares his dislike towards twitter.

Apparently someone wished his mother death on the day she was to receive surgery through this social media site.

Drake fears that kids are no longer creating and living moments but simply emulating them through photographs. I completely agree with Drake's opinion towards social media and the evolution of it. Kids are no longer experiencing life, enjoying themselves, and creating memorable moments. Instead people are more concerned with their next Facebook photo instead of having a good time.

The public however did not feel the same way I did towards Drake's comments. They instead called Drake a hypocrite and an attention whore. Reason being that Drake is an active member of twitter who utilizes the site on a daily basis. In Drake's defense he is only allowing fans into his life to share his experiences. The difference between Drake and those whom he was criticizing is the fact that Drake is actually creating memorable moments, living his life, and not simply taking photos.
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My Next Step.....

So graduation nears and Its becoming more real everyday. The question that keeps popping into my head is what's next? I keep going back and forth as to what exactly I want to do. I know what my life goals are but what's the next step to reach it? My overall goal in life is to influence generations after me to be the best that they can and be living proof that achieving your goals is possible with a little hard work, determination, and creativity. I know it's a broad goal but and that's probably why I don't know what my next step is. What I do know is that I hope to find my way to law school and eventually get into politics but that's about a year away.

Another goal of mine is definitely arts advocacy. The arts has led me on a wonderful path and I don't believe I would be successful without it. The arts has implanted skills such as critical thinking and problem solving just by perfecting my craft. The arts has also given me perspective just by meeting all the different people at music schools and seeing all the different things life has to offer.

Today I thought to myself, I know I will definitely find my way somehow but achieving greatness does not exactly fulfill my life goals. How is the public going to know that becoming the best you can be is possible through my efforts if I have not spoke about it. The next step then became apparent to me. Besides finding myself a job, I need to begin documenting my experiences. My mass media classes have displayed wonderful people doing charity and sharing ideas through something as simple as blogging. In today's society its ridiculously easy to get ideas across. In the past, you might have to pitch an idea through a broadcast medium or written a letter to get a point across. After that era, people had to create their own space, maybe through a website. With websites you have to worry about designing and other difficulties that everyone may not be comfortable with doing. In today's society I can share an idea by just creating a username and password, writing and idea, and clicking share. This phenomenal way of sharing is social media. Social media not only presents an easy and convenient way to share ideas but your ideas reach masses of all demographics.


So what should be my next step?