I’VE KNOWN ABOUT Abraham Maslow for some time now, got his ideas stuck in my head by the time I left college.  He’s part of the curriculum I use in summer school when we talk about persuasive speaking.  His hierarchy is a revelation, a good handle for those of us trying to understand sociological reality.

And while Maslow’s hierarchy remains true and foundational, what if there was a way to connect his thinking with the shift to a technological/information-driven society?

Enter Nicholas Carr, author of The Shallows.   Carr recently posted a blog entry called “The Hierarchy of Innovation.”  In the entry, Carr asserts that our attempts at innovation are related to a shift in focus and creativity.  Instead of safety/security or self-actualization needs, the range goes from technologies of survival to technologies of the self.  So there is a basic connection, Carr asserts, but there is definitely a 21st century twist.

All signs point to our culture being well into a shift in the way things work in the developed world.  And while Maslow’s initial work is essential, the paradigm shift is obvious and yet difficult to understand by many of us.  Carr’s view on innovation and technology is a good handle for those of us trying to make sense of things.  You can check out the full article here.