A while back in one of our classes we talked about needs vs wants and how those play into our daily lives. How do we determine what is a need and what is a want? Some of these things are obvious. We NEED to eat. We NEED shelter. We NEED a way to stay warm when it is cold outside. But even within those categories there are wants that come into play.
You NEED to eat, but what do you eat? There are so many options for what you can consume to fulfill that need. Do you go for the cheapest? Is nutritional value the key?
You NEED shelter. Do you live in the cheapest place you could find? Is having a lot of space important? Did you go for an option that would impress your friends?
Do you say you NEED your car? You could walk, ride a bike, take public transportation, catch a ride with someone else. What car did you NEED to buy? Was it cheap? Expensive? Good fuel mileage? Luxury?
Where do we draw the line between a NEED and a WANT? When does something that we once WANTED in life become something that we NEED and can't live without? When I was in high school I really WANTED a cell phone. It became all that I could think about. My parents' refused to buy me one, so I got one on my own. After getting this phone it became a NEED very quickly. I got to a point where I couldn't imagine life without my phone and knew I would never go without one again. Then I started to WANT a smart phone. My dumb phone just wasn't as cool as those smart ones, so I made the jump and upgraded. As soon as I got one I realized that it was a NEED in my life. How had I ever gotten along without one? All of my communications in my pocket at all times. I could be completely connected yo my world at all times. I NEEDED to have this smart phone and could never imagine having a dumb phone again.
It is interesting to look at the things in our lives and see how our possessions can become a part of who we are and how we define our lives. When did your WANTS become your NEEDS?
One thing that comes to mind is how our needs change when the society we live in changes. I prolonged my time without a smartphone as long as I could until my work required it. Then I lost my phone. It seemed that everyone during that week required me to have internet at my fingertips. This is a prime example of how our society has changed. We EXPECT people to have access to the internet and their emails throughout the day. We have combined out phone with our GPS, Google, Mail, and internet. Relying on internet only twice a day became a hindrance with responses that were time sensitive.
ReplyDeleteI believe that our needs also depend on location. A car is necessary when public transit is not possible and the locations are beyond physical endurance.
I believe so many times our wants become needs in our eyes when we have become used to a certain standard. Also it is impacted by the job we have. As a photographer, I NEED a camera because I would not make money if I had to rent it all the time. But I do not need the best out there. I WANT the best. But some of the greatest photographers are those who do their personal best with what they are given.
I think people also turn their wants into needs when they think it will add convenience to their life. I can perfectly manage with outdated software and a computer that takes minutes to process things instead of seconds. Of course I want newer and better things. But it is not a need. Others might classify it as a need simply because they have become accustomed to having everything at their fingertips; fast food, speedy checkout, carpool lane. But doesn't that start to go into the realm of people's personalities?
Great insights! I particularly like what you had to say about getting used to certain standards or levels of convenience.
Delete