Review Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and explain how each level relates to your experiences with technology. Give specific examples of how your digital experiences relate to each level of need.

Starting with the basic need, Physiological, I use an application on my phone to pay my mortgage every month. This is also where I monitor my other bank accounts. Without access to my money, I would have no way to purchase my shelter, my food, water, or warmth.  

Moving up Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, safety only builds on the physiological dependence on technology. Before technology currency was stored physically in a bank, in a secure physical location or on a person. Thanks to cybersecurity the majority of currency is, and only increasingly, stored cyberly. Without the sense of security on the internet I do not think we would have become so increasingly dependent on it.  

The third level I believe has impacted not only myself but humanity. We have never been as connected globally as we are today all thanks to the internet. Before the expansion of the internet, the cost of international calling or postage was often not worth the connection. Today, with the few clicks of a button I can have a real time video conversation with the other side of the world no matter the date or time (assuming both parties have access to the internet.) Unlimited access to each other has greatly impacted the way we seek to fill this tier of need. Not to mention the explosion of both dating websites and apps. 

Esteem need personally is one that I have a harder time relating to. Outside of academically, there isn’t much achievement I find I get from technology. However, I will say thanks to technology and the widespread areas of information to be accessed on the internet it has become easier to bestow the recognition to more than just is what is involved in our physical everyday lives.  

Lastly but top tier, self-actualization. I have personally gained so much of my need on this tier from technology. Again, the knowledge that is available now at our literal fingertip at any given moment in time has led me to discover so much about my hopes, dreams, loves and passions. Technology has become so interwoven with my day-to-day life, what I feel is my greatest potential can and will only be achieved with the help of technology. From paying my bills, to connecting with loved ones, to my career, down to my hobbies, without technology I cannot picture the person I would be becoming.