Editing 2988: Maslow's Pyramid

{{comic
| number    = 2988
| date      = September 20, 2024
| title     = Maslow's Pyramid
| image     = maslows_pyramid_2x.png
| imagesize = 744x422px
| noexpand  = true
| titletext = The local police, building inspector, and fire marshal are all contesting my 'safety' assertion, or would be if they could reach me past all the traps.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|Created by a PHYSICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF A METAPHORICAL HEURISTIC MODEL - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
{{w|Maslow's hierarchy of needs}} is a psychological model of human needs. It posits that human needs are prioritized from basic physiological requirements to more abstract forms of comfort and happiness. The idea is frequently represented by a pyramid-shaped diagram ("Maslow's Pyramid"), with basic foundational needs near the bottom creating the stability to enable {{w|self-actualization}} at the top, at least in the 'simplified' version. (Although the 'pyramid', really a segmented triangle, is often used to represent this model, {{w|Abraham Maslow}} never actually used such a pyramid to illustrate it.)

In this comic, [[Cueball]] has interpreted Maslow's Pyramid too literally, as an actual 3d construction. He attempts to achieve true happiness by physically building a pyramid that resembles this common representation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, instead of actually attempting to meet the needs within the conceptual pyramid. Cueball complains that the pyramid only fulfills one of the five needs listed on its side: literal safety, plus shelter from the elements. The pyramid is useless for his social and emotional needs: everyone, including Cueball, thinks the pyramid was a poor idea. However, this reasoning ignores the crucial fact that controlling enough workforce to build a pyramid can provide Cueball with social esteem, and building a pyramid might be much-needed self-actualization for any serious egyptologist.

The title text indicates that the pyramid probably doesn't meet the safety requirements established by local {{w|building codes}}, even though Cueball feels that it provides him with physical safety. This safety is apparently achieved in part by various traps, which are preventing the authorities from getting into the pyramid to verify compliance or serve him with a notice of non-compliance.  Of course, having one's home full of traps that provide that level of deterrence is, of itself, likely to be a violation of laws and building codes.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
:[Cueball is facing White Hat and Megan and pointing to a giant pyramid modeled after Maslow's hierarchy of needs, with each tier labeled after its need on the pyramid, and a comment next to it in the comic. From top to bottom:]
:Self-actualization: [Red X] Honestly questioning my life choices here
:Esteem: [Red X] People seem less impressed by it than I hoped
:Belonging and Love: [Red X] Friends are worried about me
:Safety: [Green Checkmark] Highly defensible
:Physiological needs: [Red X] Provides basic shelter but no food, water, heat, etc

:[Caption below the panel:]
:I built Maslow's pyramid thing, but it's a total ripoff - it's only providing 20% of my needs.

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring White Hat]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Psychology]]