Review Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and explain how each level

relates to your experiences with technology. Give specific examples of

how your digital experiences relate to each level of need.

Self-Actualization: The feeling of working towards a goal and finally feeling that you have done all you can do is something not many people may know. I am a big online racer and the feeling of “walking” away from a time trial knowing that you have posted your best time is one that is honestly hard to explain. To spend weeks if not months trying to shave off even just a thousandth of a second and finally hitting every corner right and getting every gear shift perfect is indescribably one of the best feelings. Knowing that you left nothing out and you have left your best effort online. While the experience may only be a digital one, the accomplishments are certainly real.

Esteem Needs: Validation can be incredibly important to someone’s psyche and morale. I can personally attest to that. Through online gaming, I have left marks through the years. Whether it was getting accused of cheating when my skills were simply superior and turning the tide of an online match singlehandedly, or placing my name in the top ten times of a global list of fasted lap times, I fondly remember and draw pride in my gaming highlights of my lifetime.

Belongingness and love needs: Oh the fiends I have made playing games online. As an avid gamer, I have long since played video games online. Through my Xbox and Xbox Live, I have not only maintained friendships but also started brand new ones through my years online gaming.

Safety needs: There are many safety/security threats in the digital world. I am extremely thankful to my antivirus as well as the firewalls that are set up through my home network. There are many times that I have chosen to download something from a shadier site that would have surely effected my digital security but my virus program of choice blocked the download or install of malicious programs.

Physiological needs: I am not sure I can give any digital experiences that meet a physiological need as I don’t fully believe that I need anything digital to survive on a day to day basis. Technology however, is another story. My kitchen appliances are something that I consider essential to the wellbeing of both myself and my family. The fridge to keep things cold and the stove to cook on.