Evolutionarily, species are driven by exploration and discovery. Humans, over time, have become intelligently superior to every other species, and so our instincts have developed into complex and romanticized thoughts.
When I was a kid, I used to love the outdoors. I ran outside and walked by the lake, I went to the creek to look at frogs and hermit crabs, and I would love to fish as well. Humans’ instinctual hunting and gathering.
In this day and age, however, these instincts are becoming less and less vital to our survival. We are growing up with technology, the internet, fast food, food delivery, taxi services, healthcare, and other services that take care of our needs for us.
In we look at this from the standpoint of Maslowe’s Hierarchy of Needs, we have Physiological and Safety needs covered. Though social media is not necessary to find love and belonging, it allows the masses to achieve this level on Maslowe’s hierarchy with ease. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Twitch, etc. all give people with internet access some sense of belonging.
Perhaps why Tumblr is so popular is because it allows people to express their creativity and thoughts, and the recognition they receive from it will grant them respect or esteem. This accomplishes the esteem level of Maslowe’s hierarchy.
And this leads to self-actualization. Self-actualization is when one realizes their potential, and allows them to be the most they can be in life. This part is up to you. Everyone has certain potentiality in life; whether it be artistic ability, physical prowess, academic excellence, the ability to influence others in positive ways, etc.
The reason we want to learn more about our world, and discover new technologies that allow us to make our lives more efficient, is because we are attempting to climb up the totem of Maslowe’s hierarchy of needs and discover what it means to be human; what it means to be ourselves.
It is in our nature to discover ourselves, and through the discovery of self, we learn much more. We learn how each and every one of us has a reason and a potential that we must tap into to achieve this self-actualization. Our potential leads to a better world; it leads to the continuance and survival of our species.
No matter what social constructions say about what is considered intelligent, about what is considered successful, about what is “right” and “wrong”, know that we are all masters. We are working towards the mastery of our hidden potential, whether we consciously know it or not.
A perfect society would be that in which everyone has the opportunity and means to reach self-actualization and contribute to society in a positive way. Obviously a perfect society would exist in an ideal world, however, we can work towards this.
Instead of focusing our efforts on military spending, we should be focusing more on education, healthcare, and housing. On a completely objective level, if more people in our country are educated, have their physiological needs taken care of by healthcare, and have housing to live in, then more people can reach their full potential and contribute to society in a productive way.
This increased productivity will more than pay off the amount taxpayers would have to pay. Consider it an investment in your country. If you are a true patriot, you would want to contribute to the well-being of your country.
It is instinctual to want your species to thrive. Don’t let society corrupt this innate desire and brainwash you into thinking that people don’t deserve some of the most basic things in life.