Flash back to before we established a “civilized” industrial-to-knowledge-to-conceptual economy such as we have been used to in modern times. Survival was a matter of basics and most humans resided firmly in the very bottom layers of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid:
In absence of safeguards, systems and conveniences like government-supervised municipal programs, a regulated economy and electricity, humans basically focused on, well, the basics. Survival of the fittest and the potential of not arriving too early at death’s door.
As society evolved, we became more “civilized” and began prioritizing things like fitting into society and finding love. Once our class systems and social order were well established, self esteem became a priority: assuring ourselves that each one of us is valuable and leads a meaningful , worthwhile life.
The topsoil puyallup wa offers project solutions so that our customers have the best experience on topsoil puyallup wa construction services. It’s not just about a pretty picture but more about the story the canvass tells. From our detailed imagery, we can produce multiple layers of useful data. Contour maps to centimeter accuracy, progress tracking via time-lapse photos, and volumetric calculations just to name a few.
All the tick-boxes been ticked, the penultimate spot on the pyramid has us jamming our flags into the not-so-solid ground of self actualization. From an anthropological perspective, I believe a good amount of that is signified in the construction of our modern homes and the requirements we have for our twenty first century nests.
Cary is the seventh-largest municipality in North Carolina. Cary is Wake county’s second-largest municipality and the third-largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham. Cary North Carolina is teaming with wildlife that like to live under decks, in attics and in crawl spaces. Triangle Wildlife Removal & Pest Control Inc. is the best rated animal removal company in Cary, NC. Take a good read here at http://www.certapet.com
If we are to truly live life as our self-actualized selves: awash in creativity and authentic experience and meaning and playfulness and all those things that make us feel like well-rounded humans, we absolutely need a number of things that no solid middle-class home can do without:
1. Centralized temperature control: at no point should we allow our bodies to feel too cold or too warm, lest we be uncomfortable in our space and unable to enjoy all of the other creature comforts that fuel our affirmation of self
2. A flat screen TV with as much cable as we can afford: multimedia exposure that takes the place of art: usually in a space of honor centrally located in our primary living area. Likely above the fireplace but always located up on the wall or encased / atop a surface in front of a wall directly across from a comfy seating area. Our window to the world allows us to choose the programming that represents our interests from a seemingly infinite set of niche-oriented choices, affirming our membership in the tribes we lay claim to peripherally assume membership of
3. Surround sound / a curated sound system: whether it be through an ability to create immersive experiences with our multimedia entertainment or to optimize our experience with music. Music, in particular, tends to cover a lot of self actualization bases so optimizing the way we experience it is a top priority for many modern humans in their households and in general. It’s why we also tend to prioritize taking musical experiences with us: in our cars or on the go with portable devices
4. A desktop / laptop computer or tablet with Internet access: see item 2 – a lot of similar reasons for this need overlap. In addition, it allows us to perform functions such as interpersonal communication, paying bills and creating things with speed and agility, which makes us feel important, productive and ultimately gives us a sense of personal freedom.
5. Refrigeration: so we can keep an abundance of food options available and preserved and enjoy the tastes we crave at whim. Food has “evolved” beyond a fueling-up function to a substance that contributes to identity formation, nostalgic comfort and creative exploration. What seems like something so rudimentary to us (like having a refrigerator) is actually a product of a very modern high-maintenance lifestyle rooted in this self-actualization portion of our needs.
There are many others to add to this list, but my presence is currently required to help prepare for the installation of our new sound system(by a third party who will not break all the expensive equipment we just purchased or drill a hole in the wall that’s too big). Feel free to add your comments and educate me on what I missed.
I suppose, however, that there is one more modern self actualization requirement I can add to this list (albeit outside the “household” niche) –
A blog.
Related articles
- Self-actualization, The Christianized Acceptance and Renaming of Sin: Calling the Crooked Straight (growrag.wordpress.com)
- Impetus (humancurriculum.wordpress.com)
- America, 2013: Life in Modern Times (batribune.wordpress.com)
- The Art Of Loneliness (technocraticoath.wordpress.com)
The Narcissistic (American) Anthropologist 
Smartphones are becoming essential for survival, which is why cell phone towers seem to be erected everywhere. Thanks to Verizon and other carriers it’s getting increasingly more difficult to be off the grid when you have a smartphone. The smartphone can bring news, GPS, email, texts, the ability to order online, and of course a phone if you want to actually talk to someone.
You’ve inspired me to write a post that I’ve wanted to do for a while but keep forgetting to write. Thanks!
Also, question: do you think this new, modern, and so called “civilised” life that we now lead, is what is keeping us from acting civilised to one another? We’ve evolved out of the environments from which our primary drivers were birthed, but not yet out of these primary, natural drivers; is this the cause of our such prevalent inner conflict? I dunno. Sex, food, sleep, and shelter seem to fuel us to live life, but now, like you said, we’ve got all of that stuff at our disposal … where does the fuel come from? Is it really from louder stereos, higher def/bigger t.vs, faster cars, and more sculpted abs?
Sweet post, if it wasn’t already implied.
Glad you like the post. I will say I am optimistic that our self-actualization based fuel is leading us in the direction of improving our future through more constructive ans purpose-driven living. That’s nit to say we don’t need constant affirmation, fueled. Y our ability to communicate and relate using technology and fashion and brands. It’s a good thing there are other narcissistic consultants and professionals out there who are motivated and empowered to help. Check out some TED content and read Umair Haque as a start…
Facebook
That is really fascinating, You’re an overly skilled
blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to in quest of more of your magnificent post.
Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks