THE NEWS A User's Manual
앞서 다른 매거진과 발행글을 통해 필자도 이미 몇 차례 알랭 드 보통(Alain de Botton)의 책들을 포스팅한 적이 있다.(필자의 매거진 <THL 서평과 감상문의 경계>에 발행한 [Status Anxiety], [A WEEK AT THE AIRPORT 읽어 봤나요?] 등)
이번엔 책장 정리정돈을 하다가 눈에 띈 알랭 드 보통의 [THE NEWS A User's Manual](2014)이다. 이 책의 한글 번역본은 『뉴스의 시대』(문학동네 2014)로 출간되어 있다.
우리가 평소 “뉴스”에 어떻게 반응하고 소비하는지를 저자의 빼어난 철학적 통찰력을 통해 개인과 집단의 심리와 사회적 배경을 넘나들면서 날카로운 비평으로 서술하고 있어 필자는 시간 가는 줄 모르고 읽었다.
훗날 기억하기 위해 이 책을 여기에 올려두려다가 좀 망설이기도 했다. 왜냐하면 일상의 불안과 곤경의 심리적 기저基底를 설득력 있게 분석하고 있음에도 불구하고 다른 한편으로는 -그의 다른 책에서도 언급되고 있는 바와 같이- 일부 종교와 빗대어 서술하는 대목은 일견 모두 다 동감하기가 쉽지는 않을 수도 있기 때문이다.
또한 그의 주장과 논거 중에 셀럽에 관한 부분은 차치且置하더라도 연일 첨예하게 대립하고 급변하는 우리 한국의 일상 현실 속 정치[뉴스]에 관한 주목은 “다른” 해석과 적용이 필요할 것이라고 보기 때문이다.
비록 2014년도에 출간된 책이어도 그 시의성時宜性은 여전히 유효하다고 본다. 아니, 오히려 “가짜 뉴스”(fake news), “포모*(FOMO)”, “디지털 디톡스” 등이 자주 거론되는 요즘의 세태世態를 보면 이와 같은 책이 더욱더 주목받아야 하지 않을까 싶다.
이 책을 읽는 동안 인상 깊은 구절들이 많이 있었는데 몇 부분을 여기에 인용해 둔다. 혹여나 “포모(FOMO) 신드롬”을 앓고 있는 분을 위해 참고로 오늘자(2025년 11월 21일) 기준 ChatGPT의 처방(?)도 아래에 덧붙여 둔다.
“We imagine that there would be something wrong in simply switching off. It is hard to give up on the habit first established in our earliest years, as we sat cross-legged during school assembly, of listening politely to figures of authority while they tell us about things they proclaim to be essential.”(p.15)
“HORRIFIC ACCIDENTS SIMULTANEOUSLY serve a refocusing function. Most of what upsets us from day to day is disconnected from what ultimately gives our life its meaning - and yet these stresses absorb our energies with vicious intensity nevertheless. Vivid reminders of mortality call our prosaic obsessions into question. When measured against our limited timespans, the true insignificance of some of our concerns is emphasized and our narcissistic, frivolous tendencies can cede to our more sincere and purposeful sides.
News of accidents humbles us into acknowledging that, if life is as fragile as this, if we really have no guarantee that there are decades left ahead, then we don't want to be people who spent an afternoon arguing with a beloved, who refused to forgive a friend for a minor transgression or who neglected a genuine talent in favour of an unhappy sinecure. The thought of death has the power to rearrange our priorities, returning to the surface the more valuable parts of us which have a tendency to get submerged in the everyday struggles. Evidence of what there is really to fear has the chance to scare us into leading our lives as we know, in the core of our being, that we properly should.
The notion that the thought of death should be able to restore meaning to our lives has a long history.”(p.205)
FOMO stands for "Fear of Missing Out." It’s a psychological phenomenon where a person feels anxious or worried about missing out on an opportunity, experience, or event. This feeling is often triggered by seeing others post about their experiences on social media, which can create a sense that you’re being left behind or not taking full advantage of life’s opportunities.
FOMO can manifest in different ways—whether it’s feeling left out of a social gathering, missing out on a trendy event, or even seeing others advance in their career or personal lives. It can create a sense of urgency to participate in everything, sometimes leading people to overcommit or make decisions based on what others are doing, rather than their own interests or well-being.
Overcoming FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is definitely possible, but it requires a bit of self-awareness, intentionality, and shifting your mindset. Here are a few practical ways to help reduce FOMO and feel more at peace:
1. Shift Your Focus to What You Value
Identify What Truly Matters to You: FOMO often stems from feeling like you’re missing out on things that other people value. But if you take the time to figure out what really matters to you, it’s easier to say “no” to things that don’t align with your values or long-term goals. Spend some time reflecting on your personal priorities—whether it’s your career, health, relationships, or personal growth—and use that as your compass.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you stay focused on the present moment instead of getting lost in the “what-ifs” of what you’re missing. When you’re fully engaged in what you’re doing right now, you’re less likely to be distracted by thoughts of what others might be doing.
2. Limit Social Media Exposure
Curate Your Feed: Social media can make FOMO worse by showcasing only the highlights of everyone else’s lives. To combat this, consider following accounts that inspire or positively influence you, and unfollow those that make you feel inadequate or left out.
Set Boundaries: Consider setting specific times to check social media or apps that promote comparison. This can help you avoid constantly being bombarded by posts that trigger FOMO.
3. Reframe the Narrative
Change Your Perspective: Instead of thinking about what you're "missing," try to remind yourself that you're choosing to focus on something more meaningful. For example, if you skip a social gathering to work on a project, see it as an opportunity to progress in a way that aligns with your goals rather than feeling like you're being left out.
Practice Gratitude: Focus on what you do have, rather than what you don't. Keeping a gratitude journal, where you write down things you’re thankful for every day, can help shift your attention to the positive aspects of your own life.
4. Engage in Real-Life Connections
Quality Over Quantity: Sometimes, FOMO is driven by a desire for more social interaction or experiences. Instead of trying to be everywhere, focus on deepening the relationships you already have. This might mean making more time for a few close friends or family members, rather than spreading yourself thin.
Create Your Own Experiences: If you feel like you're missing out on exciting things, take the opportunity to plan your own fun activities or experiences. Sometimes, we get caught up in what others are doing, but creating your own adventures can make you feel more in control.
5. Accept That You Can’t Do It All
Set Realistic Expectations: You’ll never be able to attend every event or take part in every opportunity that comes your way, and that’s okay. Sometimes, it’s helpful to remind yourself that not every event or opportunity is a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. There's always more to come, and missing out on one thing doesn’t mean you're missing everything.
Embrace the Power of Saying No: Saying no is an important skill. By setting healthy boundaries and learning to say no when necessary, you free yourself to focus on what you truly want and need, without feeling like you're letting everyone down.
6. Get Comfortable with Being Alone
Solo Activities Can Be Fulfilling: Spending time alone isn’t the same as being lonely. In fact, it can be a great way to rediscover your passions and interests. Whether it’s reading, working on a personal project, or just relaxing, being comfortable with your own company can make FOMO feel less important.
Enjoy the Moment: When you're doing something you enjoy, focus on fully experiencing it without comparing it to what others might be doing. Embrace that your life is unique, and this moment is yours.
7. Focus on Personal Growth
Set Personal Goals: One of the best ways to reduce FOMO is to focus on your own personal growth. By setting and achieving goals that are meaningful to you, you’ll start to feel more confident in your own journey. This reduces the desire to compare yourself to others and what they might be doing.
Celebrate Small Wins: Even if others around you are experiencing big milestones, take pride in your own progress, no matter how small. Every step forward counts, and celebrating your own achievements can reduce feelings of insecurity or jealousy.
A Final Thought:
The key to overcoming FOMO is learning to trust that your path is just as valuable, if not more so, than anyone else’s. It’s not about isolating yourself or completely rejecting social activities, but about aligning your decisions with your values, finding joy in the present, and giving yourself permission to step away from the constant pressure to “keep up” with others. (source: by chatGPT/openAI.com on 21st of November 2025)
*포모(FOMO):fear of missing out의 줄임말로 소셜미디어 공간에서 느끼는 소외감과 관계 단절을 뜻한다. 인터넷에서 정보를 놓칠까봐 두려워하는 증상도 포모에 해당한다. fear of missing out은 다른 사람에게서 잊히는 것에 대한 공포라고 해석할 수 있으니 ‘고립 공포증’이라고도 할 수 있겠다. 소셜 미디어가 포모를 부추기고 있다는 견해도 있다. 일반적으로 고립 공포증은 친구나 동료와의 관계가 단절되고 그들이 무엇을 하는지 모르는 상태에서 느끼게 되는 불안감을 의미하는데, 사회적 관계를 기술적으로 구현한 소셜미디어의 이용이 역설적이게도 이를 증폭시키고 있다는 것이다.(출처 : [트렌드지식사전5] / 다음백과)
시의성(時宜性) : 당시의 상황이나 사정과 딱 들어맞는 성질.(Daum 어학사전)
