Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is broken into 5 separate levels. Even level in this journal post will reflect my own personal connections with technology in relation to the Need.
- Physiological Needs: Increasing I realize how dependent I am on technology to even prepare the food I eat or the water I drink. In one meal there is the background labor of many technological systems like the convection oven I use to cook or the factory process which prepared the food for storage. Technology has allowed basic survival needs to be met more easily and with greater comfort.
- Safety Needs: At my house every door has a video security camera monitoring it. It gives me immense comfort to know that when I am out of the house or asleep that my property is being oversaw by technology. Also, in the unfortunate event it is needed there is documentation to show any illegal activity and not just relying on my or others fallible memory.
- Love Needs: Every day I communicate with my loved ones even when they are not in front of me. I do this using the tech with has integrated itself into our daily life, a smart phone. because of this technology I am able to stay in touch with people I otherwise would not be able to which expands my friend group and helps keep our relationships close even if our physical proximity is not.
- Esteem Needs: Online classes are only possible due to technology and I would never have been able to return to college without them. It is literally allowing me to advance my career and progress in life. Virtual action having very real world consequences.
- Self-Actualization: Tied to the previous need technology has allowed me to progress as an individual immensely. Not only am I able to progress my education where I otherwise would not be able to but my current career is in fiber optic networking which clearly could not exist without technology. Who I am and what I will accomplish is intrepidly linked to technology and the advancements it has brought the world.