Why does Bitcoin easily trigger 'FOMO' (Fear of Missing Out)?
Hello, regarding this question, let me share my thoughts.
This matter is actually quite easy to understand if you look at it from these angles:
First, the strong wealth effect and compelling narrative. What's most eye-catching about Bitcoin is its rollercoaster price. You always hear stories like "someone bought a little a few years ago and is now financially free." The media and social networks are filled with these overnight wealth myths. When the price skyrockets, it dominates headlines and social feeds. This intense visual and psychological impact makes you feel like "if I don't get in now, it'll be too late," fearing you'll miss the next "100x gain" opportunity.
Second, the scarcity of "digital gold". Bitcoin's total supply is fixed at only 21 million, and once mined, that's it. This design gives it a scarcity value similar to gold. When something is considered "good" and its quantity is extremely limited, people's psychology changes, creating a sense of urgency: "If I don't buy it now, it will be even more unaffordable later." Everyone is scrambling for limited resources, and naturally, you feel anxious.
Third, social pressure and the herd effect. When your friends, colleagues, and even some celebrities and large companies start discussing or holding Bitcoin, you feel isolated, as if you're missing out on an important era. Humans are social animals and are easily influenced by their surroundings. Seeing others "making money" while you're not participating is a very uncomfortable feeling. This is a classic herd effect: if everyone else is doing it, I should too, or I'll lose out.
Fourth, the imaginative space for the future. Bitcoin is not just seen as an investment; it also carries a grand narrative about "decentralization" and "future finance." Many believe it represents the future and is a disruptive technology. Under this narrative, missing Bitcoin isn't just missing a chance to make money; it feels more like missing "the next internet era." This uncertainty and vast imagination about the future greatly intensify people's FOMO.
In short, it's the combination of "the allure of get-rich-quick stories + the urgency of limited supply + the influence of those around you + the imagination of the future" that forms a powerful psychological push, making you constantly feel that if you don't participate, you'll miss out on a fortune.