First World problem explained

First World problem is an informal term for the issues in First World nations that are complained about in response to the perceived absence of more pressing concerns.^[1] It has been called a subset of the fallacy of relative privation and is also used to acknowledge gratefulness for not having worse problems, such as those in the Second or Third Worlds.^[2] It has been used to minimize complaints about trivial issues and shame the complainer, to generate humour at the expense of first world culture,^[3] and as good-humored self-deprecation.

History

The term First World problem first appeared in 1979 in G. K. Payne's work Built Environment,^[4] but gained recognition as an Internet meme beginning in 2005, particularly on social networking sites like Twitter (where it became a popular hashtag).^{[5] [6]} In 2012, UNICEF NZ conducted a survey of First World problems in New Zealand, finding "slow web access" to be the most common. The phrase was added to the Oxford Dictionary Online in November 2012,^[7] and to the online Macquarie Dictionary in December 2012.^[8]

Examples

Things that have been cited as being First World problems include:

• Slow Internet access^[9]
• Poor mobile-phone coverage
• Phone battery dying (low battery anxiety)^[10]
• Television remote not working
• Misplacing AirPods (the most frequent complaint about AirPods). Apple Inc. attempted to alleviate this problem by introducing a "Find My AirPods" application in 2017.^[11]
• Not being able to find items in a shop
• Getting a bad haircut
• Bad-tasting fruit
• Self-checkout in stores^[12]
• Forgetting headphones^[13]
• Feeling like there's nothing to eat even though there is plenty of food available.^[14]

See also

• Embarrassment of riches
• First World privilege
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs
• Whataboutism

External links

• • First World Problems Anthem

Notes and References

1. Web site: Eduardo Saverin's Billionaire Blues. Hardy, Quentin. 18 May 2012. The New York Times. 25 January 2013.
2. Book: Turkel, Bruce. All about Them: Grow Your Business by Focusing on Others. 6 September 2016. Da Capo Press. 9780738219202. Google Books.
3. News: Glover, Richard. 24 November 2012. As the First World turns. Sydney Morning Herald. 25 January 2013.
4. Web site: First World (Special uses). Oxford English Dictionary Online. Oxford University Press. 18 November 2014.
5. Web site: How acknowledging your "First World problems" can make you happier . https://archive.today/20130217004233/http://www.voxxi.com/how-acknowledging-your-first-world-problems-can-make-you-happier/ . dead . 17 February 2013 . 25 January 2013 . López, Tracy . 11 July 2012 . Voxxi .
6. Oxford Dictionaries adds 'deets', '4G' and 'First World problems'. 25 January 2013. Time. 20 November 2012. Steinmetz, Katy.
7. Web site: First World problem definition. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129103805/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/First-World-problem?q=first+world+problem. dead. November 29, 2014. 18 November 2014. Oxford Dictionaries Online. Oxford University Press.
8. Web site: Word of the Year 2012. Macquarie Dictionary Online. 23 October 2023 . Macquarie Dictionary.
9. News: Kiwis complain about 'First World problems'. https://archive.today/20130222231329/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10839171. dead. 22 February 2013. New Zealand Herald. Harper, Paul. 8 October 2012. 25 January 2013.
10. News: "Battery anxiety" making smartphone users miss meetings, dates and jeopardize relationships. Geelong Advertiser. Sum, Eliza. 28 July 2016. 3 October 2016.
11. Web site: Stampher. Jillian. January 24, 2017. Solving First World Problems: Apple To Release 'Find My AirPods' Feature With Latest iOS Update. GeekWire.
12. https://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131565694/impatient-nation-i-can-t-wait-for-you-to-read-this
13. Web site: First world problems: ISU Edition . 20 February 2017 .
14. Web site: Smith . Kristy . March 7, 2021 . Different Drum Humor First world fridge problems loom large in life . Hillsdale Daily News.