There are five segments of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and each of them relates to my experiences with technology. Starting from the bottom of the hierarchy are the physiological needs such as food, water, warmth, and rest. Although these needs are generally physical in nature, current technological advancements allow for provision of some of these needs. For example, recently I found myself without anything to eat and I did not have any means of transportation to a restaurant or store nearby. Luckily, I was able to order food through Door Dash and have it delivered to my house, essentially with the touch of a button.
The second tier of the hierarchy is safety needs such as feeling secure and safe. At my house, I have multiple wireless security cameras that provide 24/7 surveillance and alerts directly to my phone, allowing me to receive notifications whether I am at home or away. I also have fire alarms that when detecting smoke, send an alert to my phone and immediately contact my local emergency services. Without these security measures I would feel significantly less safe.
The third tier of the hierarchy is belongingness and love needs such as relationships with friends, family, and significant others. Currently, most of the people I consider my friends I have never actually met. The internet has allowed cross country communication with ease, by means of instant messaging, video calling, and file sharing. Additionally, I utilize these same technologies to keep in touch with family and share pictures, videos, and keep in touch.
The fourth tier of the hierarchy is esteem needs, such as prestige and feelings of accomplishment. Social media has allowed for the sharing of accomplishments, exposing them to more people than before their inception. No longer are certificates or diplomas merely listed in a resume or hung on a wall. These accomplishments and more can be displayed to thousands through websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. On my personal LinkedIn and Facebook I have listed many of my accomplishments and feel satisfaction from compliments received by others through this medium.
The fifth and last tier of the hierarchy is self-actualization, or achieving one’s full potential, including creative activates. Although I do not believe I have yet reached this point in my own life, the presence of the internet has made this more achievable than it ever has before. Being able to connect with a near endless supply of information and people, creates the potential to do nearly anything and everything I want. These opportunities will only increase as technology advances, and our access to information increases.