Wants and Needs

What a topic! Both 'wants' and 'needs' are motivators. Needs are the essential things that are basic to survival. For instance, we need food, shelter from the elements, and it could even mean a blanket on a cold night. Needs are the things that are essential for existence. To satisfy our needs in today's society, we can earn money, depend on charity, or become a criminal and just take what we need. One way of the other, we have to satisfy our needs or we will die.

Needs also means a lot of different things like companionship and cooperation with others. Fulfilling those needs are accomplished by grouping together into a society. Loosely translated, a society is a group of like minded people bound by a common thread of beliefs, goals, language, and traditions. Every society has their particular institutions and values that clearly define who they are. Until lately, the different societies divided into different geographical areas defined as countries. But mass transportation has allowed mass movement of individuals from and into different countries resulting in a blurring of how we define those societies. Since the late 1800's, the indigenous peoples of the geographical countries have seen their majorities shrink and their political power shrivel.

Because of immigration, birth control, and exodus of people around the world, the threads of these indigenous societies are weakening and will probably dissolve within this century. The new majorities are redefining 'needs'. Our evolving definition of life's necessities is altering both our political landscape and our interactions with each other. This writer just hopes that the conflicts of the 'needs' definition will get resolved peacefully - but there are indications that it will not.

We all meet our needs first. After meeting the essentials, we may decide that other things may make our life a little better. Those other things come into the category of 'wants'. Having wants is that peculiar human trait of not being satisfied. This trait is responsible for human progress. After all, the most primitive of people meet their needs, but it is our desire for the things that are not essential for life that drives the engine of progress.

Our wants drive us to heights above just meeting our needs. It might be that new large house, new car, or even a designer gown that catches our fancy. Our wants provide the incentive to be more productive so we can acquire the things we desire and in the process, establish industry and retail businesses to supply those things.

How badly we want to satisfy our wants is an individual thing. Some have an insatiable appetite that recognizes no limits. But most of us settle on a level that feels comfortable, and we tend to remain within a set of self-imposed boundaries. In this society, it is not a Liberal or Conservative imposed boundary, but a boundary decided by the individual as to how much is enough. Motivated individuals start businesses and in the process make it possible for others to make their way in the world.

Industries recognize the stratification of these boundaries and produce items suitable for each strata of human endeavor. A person can buy from the category that he can afford - everything from common fish-roe to Russian sturgeon caviar. What you buy depends on your self-imposed boundary of income level.

Wishing for more income does not produce diddly. If you fall into the category of a person who is envious of those who have more than you do, then you have exhausted your ability to reach higher. A person must meet certain requirements for advancing in a profit-motivated society. Education is always a good place to start. Education whether formal or from life's experiences when properly applied, will generally return good results for those seeking to satisfy their wants. There are no free lunches; it takes a lot of effort to succeed. We should admire those who reach their goals; not be envious of them. Most successful people have a lot invested in their success. We depend on those who demand better in life. Else, we would not have the industrial products, stores, and restaurants we enjoy. Our society would slowly decline to third world status if the Statist and Socialists have their way. Stifling competition only leads to mediocrity. Competition leads to the 'better mousetrap' that keeps the economy moving. Competition provides that incentive for the one-up-man-ship that drives commerce and innovation.

All of our progress depends on the wants of individuals. Your effort to satisfy those wants is up to you. Effort can overcome adversity, but waiting for someone else to do it for you will only accumulate cobwebs. I leave you with this thought. - The best apples need to be picked from the tree and therefore takes effort to get. Bottom feeders that are not particular wait on the ground for one to fall.

Cheers,

-Robert-

Email comment to Robert