Maslow's hierarchy explains a lot... until it doesn't. For example, even when I was homeless, or "near homeless" (living in my car) I was more concerned with studying self-actualization and consciousness than I was with with actually finding a job and a place to live. Which is the exact opposite of most people... I've just never felt like I could cope well with the eternal "practical" world until I had myself and what makes people tick figured out...