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SITE: Designer vs Non-designer’s needs – w/ CHART
♦ CREATIVITY
In his ULTRAsomething blog, Gregg Simpson ponders an existential Q: “Why do I always believe the world is upside-down?” He notes that Maslow’s pyramid implies that human motivation always builds on a balanced foundation of needs, & that we’re identified by how high we’ve managed to climb the pyramid.
“…. B
ut like most catch-all theories involving human existence, Maslow’s has one fatal flaw — it doesn’t ‘catch’ me.
In fact, it utterly fails to define the seemingly haphazard way in which my own needs structure has evolved — a structure that looks something like this ⬅️. This can apply to anyone feeling their way thru life – unconventionally or without clear direction”
♦ ARTISTS: Simpson points out that not everyone follows Maslow’s original order. This especially applies to all types of artistic / creative people who obsessively focus on producing something that will change the world, or at least one piece of the world that interests them – (research, ballet, composing, programming…..). Creatives will sacrifice many things in life for their specific pinnacle’s focus.
Reversed ARTIST’S stages :
– Self-actualization is the fundamental need driving all true creatives (#5 becomes #1)
– Esteem is looked for only when creative urges are sated – even somewhat, & temporarily (#4 is now #2)
– Having reached a goal, they want others to know & appreciate their work (#3)
– And although they may long for intimate relationships (#3), many are unwilling to put energy into it – love takes too much time away from the creative process
– At the reversed top, many creatives neglect their physical & safety needs, approaching those with some disdain, as if satisfying them is so shallow & trite that it’s a form of ‘selling out’. (#1-2 are last)
The most successful creatives achieve wide recognition, but self-actualization can also be a personal experience, from a quiet satisfaction with the outcome of their efforts.
Simpson continues: ” …. but it also indicates why creative people are often more fragile & unstable. Just look at that structure: a creative’s entire existence balances on a single point. Unless needs in the levels above self-actualization are met with the utmost care, the whole pyramid tips over on its side.” (Re. Entrepreneurs….)
ALSO: Ed Hose’s comments on his drawing ↗️ of the reversed ∇ echo Simpson. Some people’s needs follow the standard pyramid – with its solid base, whereas others are like spinning tops, living the upside down life, where the fulfillment of ideas trumps the pursuit of practical necessities. 
He says: “I have drawn the conclusion that both ways of being have phenomenal pluses and minuses.
You can not begrudge the shape of your own hierarchy of needs. One shape is not better than another, whether unstable or deeply rooted. Do not worry what yours looks like – unless….. ⬅️ If it look like this, then you should worry!”
….. “It is easy to begrudge being a spinning top when you long for the stability of a solid bottom pyramid, & it is easy to aspire to the swirling beauty of a spinning top when you are stuck in the routine of being responsible.”
👠 👠 👠
Q : Where does music lie in the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
ANS: It depends where music fits into a person life. EXP:
At 3 = you love to sing or play at all kinds of social functions – for funAt 5 = you’re a music teacher, researcher or scholar, but also relates to 3 thru 6
At 6 = If you’re consistently earning your living by any form of musical expression, (whether well-known or not), but also 4 & 7
At 8 = If you’re publicly performing your natural talent as a gift, you become one with an attuned audience – transcending ‘ego separateness”.
NEXT: Reverse pyramids
HEAL & GROW for ACoAs 