We live in a world where people have a very skewed view of basic needs.
If you ask most people, they include many things like electricity, phones, and even air conditioning as “basic” needs.
I remember taking a class in high school that focused on “wants vs needs”. This seems like it would be a very simple class but it was more interesting that one would think. We studied the evolving thought process of society and their perception of a want or a need. Take for instance those who fled war torn Europe after the world war, one of their basic needs was freedom. If you ask a mother during the depression the same question she may have said food for her children. Today’s society is very different. We now live in a world where things like electricity, clean water, and food are taken for granted. Don’t get me wrong, I love living in my own home with all the comforts that come with it. When it is ninety degrees, I too, would agree that my HVAC system is a basic need. I hate to be hot and sweaty but when I think about those who live in regions of the world who have never even heard of air conditioning and have to rely on fires for heat in the winter. I can simply adjust my thermostat and be comfortable. We are very spoiled in our society with what we might call creature comforts. I am thankful for them indeed. When I consider what is truly a need or a want, I know that I don’t “need” my air conditioning units, but, I do “want” them for sure.