Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a pyramid chart that represents the fundamental needs that humans desire on a basic level. There are five levels for this pyramid: Physiological needs, Safety needs, Belongingness and Love needs, Esteem needs, and Self-actualization. These five levels can be grouped into three parts: basic needs, psychological needs, and self-fulfillment needs. This hierarchy can be applied to other areas of a person’s life, specifically their use of technology. This varies depending on the person, but there is a hierarchy of needs that a person must have for their technological use. Here are some of mine based on personal experience.

Firstly, technology can’t and shouldn’t resolve a person’s physiological needs. Instead, I would have to change this level to “foundational needs.” Electricity, a consistent internet connection, a refrigerator, an oven, a full computer setup, a music player, headphones, chargers, a phone, and a gaming handheld would be here first. For safety needs, it would be multiple storage drives, a built-in antivirus program for the computer, and electrical outlet extenders. I would consider all of these things listed here as part of my basic technological needs.

For the next group, psychological needs, I don’t need much. YouTube, one or two social media websites, a gaming client, and a messaging application on my phone or computer would be enough to meet my belongingness and love needs. You don’t need to let the whole world know what you are doing or try to be friends with almost everyone you meet; you just need a few good friends to hang out with and message, and that will be more than enough. For esteem needs, there would be applications that allow me to create. A video editing software, a 3D animation program, or a drawing application would suffice.

Lastly, for self-actualization, ideally, one shouldn’t rely solely on technology to give one real fulfillment. What should give you real fulfillment is what you are able to do with the technology you have for yourself and others. For me, being able to modify and set up a computer or a gaming device gives me high levels of accomplishment. Being able to create a work of art that I am satisfied with also feels very fulfilling. However, being able to share these things with the right people to give them insight, knowledge, a cool creation, or just something that they find nice and makes their day a little better. That is what ultimately gives me self-fulfillment.