Human needs
From Envirowiki
humans often think they need things - cars, TVs, millions of work-time-value tokens. they don't. they just want them.
there are a set few basics that any humans need.
Contents |
[edit] 1 the basics
[edit] 1.1 Air
this is the thing that you need the most. you can only survive a minute or so without air. don't try it.
you need relatively clean air, otherwise your lungs will be damaged, and you will need medicine. how to avoid this: don't make the air dirty.
[edit] 1.2 water
the next most important thing to any human. you can survive a couple of days without water, but it's not good for you.
like air, the water you drink should be realtively free of crap if you want to stay healthy.
[edit] 1.3 nutrients
food. that is, a balanced diet including protein, fibre, and any number of other organic compounds and minerals. usually tastes pretty good too. McDonalds, although it can contain all the major food groups, is not balanced diet.
[edit] 1.4 temperature
humans need a certain temperature in their immediate vicinity to operate correctly. Ideally, to be comfortable, this temperature range is around 24-30 degrees celcius[reference needed], depending on humidity levels. hotter and colder temperatures can be withstood easily, especcially with the use of temperature control mechanisms like sweat, clothing, and shelter. more high tech temperature and climate control can be used to increase this range further.
humans are damaged by temparatures above about 60 degrees, or below zero. the degree of damage depends on the time exposed to such temperatures.
[edit] 1.5 social interraction
humans are like bees, or ants. we can't operate on a solitary basis. If we do, we risk going insane [reference needed] social interraction can save us. this is part of social sustainability. art is part of this too.
[edit] 2 further needs
[edit] 2.1 shelter
shelter of some form is genrally considered a human need, and basic human right. We need it because we a are weak, hairless apes.
[edit] 2.2 medicine
due to the number of pathogens in the biosphere, we often need some form of medicine. It can be argued that we already have an inbuilt anti-pathogen system - our immune system - and that any other medicine weakens that system. perhaps medicine is a pathogen? regardless, sometimes we get to the point where if we don't have medicine, we die. is medicine the cause of the world's over population problems?
[edit] 3 things you DON'T NEED
[edit] 3.1 money
you don't need money. ever. you do, sometimes, need things, such as food, and clothing, that can be bought with money, but you never, ever, need moeny for it's own sake. never forget this.
[edit] 3.2 cars
ride a bike you lazy bastard
[edit] 3.2.1 bikes
what are you in a rush or something? just walk! less embodied energy.
[edit] 3.3 "goods"
when did you television ever help you find water in the desert? when did it ever prepare your dinner? when did it ever increase your social skills? you TV is making you stupid and lazy! the same can be said for most other "goods"
