Want vs Need Debate

This cluster focuses on the distinction between human wants and needs, with commenters debating whether desires are essential necessities or merely superficial cravings, often in contexts of consumerism and motivation.

📉 Falling 0.4x Politics & Society
3,062
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#5129
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
9
2008
32
2009
42
2010
77
2011
76
2012
94
2013
101
2014
91
2015
132
2016
168
2017
140
2018
134
2019
199
2020
233
2021
312
2022
361
2023
321
2024
258
2025
264
2026
18

Keywords

SUV i.e desire wants want need desires wanting needs dull want things experiences drone

Sample Comments

criddell Jun 25, 2020 View on HN

It isn't about need, it's about want.

cup-of-tea Aug 1, 2018 View on HN

People want more than they already have.

eru Jul 21, 2013 View on HN

Not all wants are wants of material goods.

conanbatt Sep 4, 2017 View on HN

There isn't a need, there is a desire.

TaupeRanger May 26, 2023 View on HN

"The difference between a want and a not-want is wanting"

xwowsersx Jul 27, 2022 View on HN

Not everything we desire is good for us. Also, there is a need? How so?

brailsafe Jan 20, 2022 View on HN

It's a desire, not an entitlement

ronsor Sep 9, 2023 View on HN

That's more of a want than a need.

cess11 Dec 5, 2025 View on HN

Perhaps they mean that it does not satisfy some deep need, perhaps as opposed to a shallow want or desire.

JayNeely Sep 13, 2008 View on HN

Want may be transient, but need is subjective.