A 4.8-magnitude earthquake hit the East Coast, leaving many people feeling left out because they missed the tremor. Sara Lind, who lives in Manhattan, was completely unaware of the earthquake that shook buildings and homes until her boyfriend received a notification on his phone. Lind and many others took to social media to express their earthquake FOMO (fear of missing out), with some saying they felt left out as their group chats buzzed with conversations about the earthquake. People who were on trains or in the shower also claimed they missed the earthquake, further fueling the sense of exclusion.
Veronica Phillips, a graduate student who lives in Manhattan, also missed out on the earthquake and felt left out as her friends and family members discussed their experiences with the tremor. Many people who did not feel the earthquake expressed a desire to be included in the conversations, memes, and jokes surrounding the event. Lind mentioned that missing out on the earthquake experience may prompt her to take her children to see the total solar eclipse happening next week, as she does not want to miss out on other significant events in the future.
While Phillips and Lind acknowledged that the earthquake could have been frightening for those who felt it, they both lamented not being able to participate in the shared experience that many New Yorkers were discussing. Lind described the earthquake as a collective moment that she missed out on, leading to feelings of FOMO. She emphasized the importance of not missing out on history-making events and the desire to be a part of the conversations and camaraderie that come with shared experiences like the earthquake.
The earthquake FOMO felt by many who missed the tremor highlights the sense of community and camaraderie that can come from shared experiences, even ones as unsettling as an earthquake. While those who missed the earthquake may have been spared from the fear and anxiety that can accompany such an event, they also missed out on the opportunity to connect with others who experienced it. The desire to be included in discussions and shared moments is a universal one, and the earthquake FOMO experienced by some people in New York City reflects this longing for connection and participation.
As Lind and Phillips expressed their feelings of being left out and their desire to be a part of the earthquake conversation, they highlighted the social aspect of shared experiences. The earthquake may have caused fear and uncertainty for those who felt it, but for those who missed it, the sense of exclusion and FOMO was palpable. This episode serves as a reminder of the power of communal experiences to bring people together and create shared bonds, even in the face of natural disasters like earthquakes.
Ultimately, the earthquake FOMO experienced by some New Yorkers underscores the importance of connection and shared experiences in fostering a sense of community and belonging. While missing out on the earthquake may have spared some people from fear and anxiety, it also left them feeling excluded and longing to be a part of the shared conversations and camaraderie that followed the tremor. The desire to participate in significant events and be included in the collective experiences of a community is a fundamental aspect of human nature, as demonstrated by the earthquake FOMO felt by those who missed the tremor in New York City.
