An upgrade for the Maslow’s hierarchy

The Maslow’s hierarchy is one of the most well known model that explains human values and is often used to rationalize each motivation. There is nothing wrong with that, except the fact that people are actually irrational and every model that is logic-based is inaccurate by design.

While I’ve been reed a book and going through the another introduction to the Maslow’s hierarchy I noticed it has some white points for citizens of the 21st century.

Basic level

Basic level is often referred to as food, cloths and shelter. This is right and understandable. Basic needs that are top priority to solve. If it’s cold, starving or our bodies are disturbed in the other way - we are getting into the different mode. This is the true survival mode. It is controllable till some degree. However, experimenting and analyzing myself lead me to understanding - instincts takes control.

There is just one critical mission is left: to survive on the physical level. And surviving in 15th century and surviving in 21st century are complete different. And requires different approaches.

In 21st century we must include physical activity into the basic needs. Because it is absolutely possible to survive on biological level. It seems, though, our bodies were never designed the way we can get deprived from moving. And yet we are at the moment of civilization where it is absolutely possible to get everything spending weeks in a bed or chair.

This, undoubtedly, actives different mode of functioning of our brains and bodies and is leading to a disaster on all the levels above the basic one.

Next level

Silence. I am unsure about which level to attach it to. On one hand I feel like this is safety, safety of feeling and thinking calmly. Validating own needs and values.

On the other hand - it might go to the third level, which is belonging. We need a group to belong to, loneliness is hard for us. And despite of that we need a silent corner we can spend time alone. In silence.

This doesn’t seem to be a thing a century ago. Back then it was important to ensure access to information. Now we often have too much noise. It brings distraction and negative feelings. Inability to build a safe space without the noise leads to issues with mental health.

Third level might be also the right place for this basic need because there’s love. And having this silent place suites well for self-love and self-care.

Summary

These 2 items obviously might be a part of something bigger. But in these days in our western society we must cultivate healthy movement and calm silence. In the era when attention is a currency people must attach much higher value and acknowledge the price.

The price of being always online. The price spending the resource to power someone’s dream-machine. The power, that is slowly taken away living a hole. Drains the energy. And takes away the potential.

We are a sum of our friends. We are the multiplier of content we consume. We are the authors of our lives.

Authors are the most powerful human being living on this planet. It’s time to make this story a good one. Because one day will be the last one.