The Basic Theory
The theory goes something like this: Perhaps IF we can identify and verify (via mass public consensus) a common set of basic needs/desires/experiences of the human condition AND start to understand how our behavior is influenced by these needs/desires/experiences THEN we may be able to use the wisdom inherent within these observations as a basis from which to reevaluate our economic systems, social systems, governmental systems, environmental regulations and legal systems etc.. In short, we need to develop some rational and intuitively understandable context or basis from which a sustainable social re-evaluation can occur.
The Ultimate goal of the UHNA project is to get people to focus on the idea of exploring what it is that makes each of us tick; to develop a common sense contextual framework that is intuitively understandable and practically applicable, a resource which can be globally disseminated allowing the people of the world to evaluate and alter their own state of happiness and security in a sustainable and self determinate fashion. We want to mobilize a community with the shared compassion for understanding what it means to live humanely.
Most projects and research in this field conclude by identifying the basic categories of human needs. An appropriate analogy might be like identifying the basic categories of the periodic table such as the ‘solids’, ‘metal’ and ‘liquids’, whereas the UHNA project seeks to define the individual elements like ‘carbon’, ‘hydrogen’ and ‘oxygen’. The UHNA project may very well be able to catalyze the development of an intuitively understandable and comprehensively verifiable ‘map’ or ‘loose periodic table’ describing the elements that influence human behavior. Hopefully, the project can also catalyze the development of social movements that can motivate the common person into self-reflective consciousness relative to;
• understanding what fundamental motivations/needs drive their behavior.
• acknowledging that there are a set of motivations/needs that are common to the vast majority of humanity.
• understanding how to achieve a balanced fulfillment of motivations/needs which yield a satisfying and humane experience.
• understanding that engaging in collaborative efforts towards fulfilling common motivations/needs will have positive impacts on self and community.
The UHNA project differs from some other social/human needs projects and research in that it addresses the topic from a ‘bottom up’ and ‘middle outward’ perspective simultaneously to discover and report its comprehensive findings directly to the participants of the project as opposed to a ‘top down’ strategy. This will enable the project to be flexibly organic and able to develop at it’s own appropriate ‘human scaled’ rate since it is a communications project based on developing a common fundamental understanding through consensus; it is a widely accessible and continuous feedback loop.
The question then becomes; how is it possible to stimulate such a set of scenarios and others with similar goals of creating a balanced and humane world?
More than likely, it will require the energy of highly motivated mass movement towards creating an informed and active citizenry. The key to achieving this is by utilizing a set of motivations/needs common to each individual from which ‘the masses’ are comprised, an ego-centric but mutually benevolent commonly shared compassion… the need to live humanely. Gaining satisfaction through collaboratively understanding and fulfilling the motivations/needs of self and others.
The basic methodology of the project will center around gathering empirical data from individuals on a global scale to create the worlds largest signatory list. Visitors to the UHNA site will be asked whether or not they agree with each statement of need on the signatory list as it relates directly to them personally. The responses will be used to assess the relative universality of each of the ‘elements’ on the initial list of humane needs.
The project will be translated into multiple languages and will be designed in a modular format that will allow organizers to explain the project and gather signatories locally to add to the global database. The project will be launched locally via appropriate cultural events and promoted by high-profile signatories.
Visitors to the UHNA site will be able to review graphical statistics to compare respondent answers with a broad range of basic demographic information. This will allow people to see who thinks like them.
Currently, the UHNA project is hold while a project team is assembled and a book is being written. We are now settling into a physical home base of operations in Berlin Germany called “Das Baumhaus“, the German translation for “The Tree House”. Das Baumhaus will play host to many other collaborative projects seeking to make the world a better place.