What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

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Let us discuss organisms’ fundamental needs, with emphasis on the fact that food energy is the primary necessity for survival. The text discusses contrasts of food with secondary needs like shelter and clothing. These needs can vary based on individual preferences. It highlights the evolution of human priorities and notes the importance of recreational activities. Technology has greatly affected modern life. Smartphones and social media show how personal choices influence one’s needs. These choices reveal the difference between essential needs and luxuries.

Human needs

What does an organism, especially a human, need for survival? Is it surroundings, enjoyment, or something else? Are these its basic survival needs? There can be different views depending on the situation and the choice of individuals. The question is, are these things of vital importance? Let us discuss it in detail.

Energy is essential for survival

Thinking about activities and required strength, the first thing that comes is energy. It is the first and foremost thing which makes human and living organisms active and vibrant. Energy is the basic and prime necessity for survival. What is energy all about, and how does it come into an organism?

(a) What is energy?

Energy is abstract. It is invisible and intangible. Unlike air, which is invisible but tangible, energy is experienced but is intangible. Energy is neither visible nor perceivable. It can be termed as a strength that enables an organism to do its work. It is indestructible. (Britannica)

(b) Energy is everywhere

The form of energy can be changed. Though indestructible, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It is everywhere around us. Smiling flowers and hovering bumblebees, a kaleidoscope of butterflies, blowing breezes, and rising sea waves are all due to energy.

Food gives energy for survival

How does an organism get it? It comes from breaking down the food the organism consumes. So, the most important thing in one’s life is food, which provides energy and power to an organism.

Thus, the essentiality is food which gives energy to life. Apart from being vital, the energy is needed to move nonliving things and machines, too. In an atom, the spinning electrons have energy. Every living organism, along with moving objects like locomotives, cars, airplanes, and ships, relies on energy for movement.

Steam locomotive

Look at the steam engine. It moves with the power of steam, which gives the required push and pull to an engine. A steam locomotive would be a strange thing for my young Gen Z friends. A machine needs energy to operate and function. The energy can be anything from steam to electricity. With advancements in technology, the system of obtaining energy changes. Improved technology has replaced steam locomotives with electric locomotives and hydrogen trains.

A steam locomotive was not only helpful in mobility and a necessary machine, but it also allows a live comparison with human life. Food is essential. After its assimilation, food produces waste material like a steam locomotive.

(b)nostalgia

Hauled by the power of steam, locomotives used to be massive. Boiling waters in boilers produce steam. It provides impetus to move wheels on rails. The raw materials used to produce steam were coal and water. The moving engine would produce a lot of smoke and steam. A long streak of trailing smoke belching out of a small chimney, and the peculiar nostalgic “Chhuk…Chhuk…” sound is still fresh in the minds of older people.

(a) Waste materials produced

Besides producing steam, the process produces a lot of ash, burned coal, and smoke as byproducts. They are useless and discarded. It is a comparable example of an organism’s body. The body breaks down food to produce energy. It also generates a lot of waste materials. The waste byproducts are akin to the faecal matter of living organisms.

Congenial environment and Humans

After food, the next important thing is a congenial environment. Living beings are adapted to a particular set of environments. It can be aquatic, terrestrial, arboreal or like. It is their place of living. Some need more organised places like nests, dens or the like. They give organisms shelter and breeding places. Humans are not an exception. They need other subsidiary things and congenial environment for their survival.

Also read: Impact of Biodiversity Loss on Human Survival: Alarming 90% Decline

Human beings

Humans are highly advanced and developed among the animal world. They have more organised, meticulous, and sometimes complex lives that deal with many things in a coordinated way. Unlike other animals, they, especially modern humans, need a house to live. The size and amenities can vary according to individual choice and necessity. After food, it is housing that comes next in priority of a person.

(a) Housing and clothing

Housing and clothing occupy almost equal status when it comes to fixing priorities. Clothing gives protection to the individual self. It saves their bodies from the harsh weather and rough seasons. Thus, in order of necessities, food, shelter, and clothing are the essential triads for survival. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that of the three essentials, food has no replacement. The other two can be managed according to priority and necessity.

(b) Brain and thought process

The highly developed brain, logic and cognitive power have placed the human race on the highest pedestal. They cogitate and make thoughts into meaningful ideas and philosophies. Thus, mental food is necessary for keeping the mind alert and active. It comes next to food. Except for the mentally disabled, almost all people have thoughts occupying their brains. Though not important for energy requirements, Food for thought is necessary for human intellectual survival.

(c) Recreation

After important routine work is over, human beings need to engage in other work. It breaks the monotony and gives them a respite. Recreation in the form of dance, drama, song, painting or any work. It gives pleasure and relieves physical and mental fatigue. At times, people used to engage themselves in games as well. As civilisation progressed, the games occupied a prominent place in their lives. It became a highly organised activity where players displayed their best sporting skills and abilities. The competition and prize distribution to the winners were frequent and considered prestigious. It used to be a favourite pastime for them. It was formalised in ancient Greece, where the Olympic Games were started.

(c-1) Dice games

The game of dice was a popular indoor game. In some places, it took the shape of gambling. Besides being a recreation, it was a status symbol. Refusing an invitation to play dice or gamble was demeaning and was treated with disdain. The defeat of the oft-talked-about Pandavas was pivotal in the story. The outrage over Draupadi’s modesty in the gambling also turned the course of the Mahabharat epic.

Humans and the Era of Technology

The human race has come a long way. Their necessities and priorities have considerably changed. In the old times, people were dependent upon letters. which used to take a long time to reach the recipient. In contrast to that, modern people are now connected. Messages reach on a real-time basis. Advanced technology and fast internet have made life very easy. People are now well informed and properly fed with the contents of their choice.

(a) Technology changed human lives

The Internet has provided easy access to knowledge. It also offers entertainment materials and means of swift and efficient communication. Above all, it facilitates smooth and hassle-free money transactions. The constricted world now is an oyster. Once considered a quick mode of message exchange, the Telephone and telegraph have become obsolete. Fast and much improved, powerful telephony supported by internet technology has become prominent. Mobile handsets are like the Genie of modern times. They are ready to say, “Kya Hukm Hai Mere Aaka…” (What can I do for you, Sire…).

(b) Computer and Internet

The most required thing is a computer and high-speed internet connectivity. The thing that supplements it is a powerful mobile device, like a smartphone with ample storage and seamless connectivity. The gadget has become a must-have. If handled with care, gadgets are friends. They are dangerous when used casually or with vicious intentions. With the advancement of technology, hackers and swindlers are on the prowl. Scampering around, they surreptitiously try to skim the personal information and hard-earned money.

(c) Smartphones and Social media

Given a choice, most people go for a powerful smartphone first. The thing that follows is social media. The latter, though, has earned a rather not-so-good reputation, but it is popular among the majority of people. Anything has two faces: virtue and fault. It depends on how one uses it. These gadgets can easily be purchased on https://amzn.to/47juV21 at competitive rates and options. There are a plethora of brands and varieties to choose from.

Personal Choices

Choices vary by individual. Some will go for a good car to explore places of their choice. Others will choose books. They read them while sitting in a cosy nook of their homes, sometimes sipping coffee or tea. Others would like to spend time thinking and writing while some find pleasure in watching films and creating visuals.

To Sum up

In the end, the essentials for survival take precedence. Other items, while not necessary for survival, contribute to a higher quality of life and can be considered luxuries. The choice of what to rank over what is essential is ultimately a personal decision. It should stay so until it doesn’t interfere with others’ personal domain.

Other interesting reads:

• Survival Stories: Rising After Losing Everything
• The Evolution of Games: From Ancient Civilizations to Modern Day
• Adaptation and Survival: Lessons from Nature
• The Evolution of Computers: From Abacus to Modern Machines
• Boost Energy and Happiness Naturally

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