The socially acceptable addiction - the disconnect from real life

One of the most important human needs beyond food, shelter, water and air, according to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, is the need to feel valued (I talk about this under my blog on ‘Appreciation’).

Second only to the need to feel valued is the need to belong, to feel included – there’s no doubt these are powerful drivers of our behaviour, on a daily basis.

For example,

·         What happened the last time you were in a relationship where you didn’t feel valued?

·         What happened the last time you were in a group where you did not feel included, on a regular basis?

Did you leave? Of course you did – in the same way you’d leave a room with no air.

Why are those needs such strong drivers? They are primal; we evolved as a social organism and being part of the tribe is essential to human comfort. Sure we have differing tribes and levels of engagement – but show me a human being who feels no need to be valued or a need to associate with someone and I’ll show you a hermit; such people are very much the exception.

Ok, so we’re wired this way – so what?

Here’s where social media can be so compelling – there’s niche for everyone (ultimate inclusion) and such communities can be rich feeding for feeling valued too.

Of course great things can (and do) come from this too.

However, is it any wonder that many lead virtual lives today?

I worry for the ‘Millennials’.