Quote Originally Posted by RamblinMike View Post
Undisputed it ain't. First of all, I'm disputing it (so ha!). Second, others have disputed it as well - Wikipedia says so!

Self-actualization can't be achieved by first seeking basic needs. In fact, it seems that those who have achieved it have done so by denying the bottom-of-the-pyramid stuff in order to gain the higher-up stuff. By choosing food, sex, and security over morality and principles, you make yourself more mammal than man. I never heard of a great teacher or saint who taught such a pyramid; in fact, they all turn it upside-down. My big hero Woody Guthrie got to be so great because he rode around on freight trains and got himself half-ways starved during the Great Depression. Even Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things (food, clothing, shelter) will be added unto you."

Y'see, we admire the people who take the top-of-the-pyramid stuff and make it their priority. Who do you dig more - Angel or Kalani? Kalani's been trying to weasel his way to safety and security since they found him, but when the behemoth came, Angel risked his own neck just to save his sorry ass. Maslow's hierarchy is true for cowards: people who are morally reprehensible and self-serving. But in my book, it's no good gaining the whole world if you lose your soul.
I mean no offense, but a starving, homeless man fighting for survival against those who would do him harm isn't likely to be terribly concerned about personal enrichment and enlightenment. There is a reason that crime rates are much higher in low income neighborhoods and third world countries with limited resources to go around. When basic needs are not met, it's dog-eat-dog. Think about it...there are probably a great number of children who go to bed hungry in the city in which you live, yet I'm sure you ate at least one good meal today. Following your logic, you would have sacrificed every bite of food and water you took in today to someone who needed it more. You would also sacrifice your car to someone who needed it more than you do...and your bank account, give it up pal...I'm broke!