This is not true. Human needs are actually quantifiable scientifically, to an extent. All humans have certain biological needs, certain psychological needs and certain social needs. All of these have elements that are fairly universal and elements that are individual, based on needs. I'm not advocating that we base anything on the opinions of a leader, group of leaders or even a collective. I'm advocating a more technocratic approach, if you will.
First I have to clarify that the wants of human beings are actually a criteria in this approach. It doesn't mean that everyone is fed the right kind of porridge and everyone sleeps in optimized dorms with bunk beds. This approach might fill the biological needs people have but not the psychological and social ones. All of these are taken into account and partially from an individual perspective.
Using this approach we can take solid scientific models such as the Maslow hierarchy into more practical use. Our goal would obviously be to allow every human being to reach the highest level. To be able to do something motivating, to better themselves, to be creative. But I want equality which means that we should first fulfill the two lowest levels in the Maslow hierarchy for everyone. These are physiological needs and safety. We claim our civilization is advanced and so great but still we have BILLIONS of people in the world who do not have even the basic needs met adequately.
A sane approach to society is to make sure the lower level needs are being met and then we can focus on giving everyone the opportunities to reach the highest level which is self-actualization. This approach is beneficial to everyone because it reduces crime in a society, increases trust among members of society, increases mental health, physical health etc. Everything that REALLY MATTERS go up. Now we live in a society where we get kicks from our profits soaring, GDP going up, all the while the indicators that really matter go from bad to worse.
It's all right here, folks. They want to confiscate your life, cage you like rats and fill your basic "scientific needs" according to their whims. Then when everybody is on the same "level" can you reach their criteria of self-actualization.
Now they claim otherwise by citing the most extreme case with bunk beds and pooridge; however, of course they know nobody produces in these conditions so they call for meeting "psychological needs" by handing out the minimum amount of freedom so the human will still be happy enough to produce a taxable income. Isn't it lovely? You don't even need to worry about your own needs anymore. The technocrats know everything you want FROM SCIENCE. Everything is going to be alright. Big daddy Technomage is going to take care of you. He's going to confiscate all the undeserved wealth from the producers and give it to the "lower people" so they can be up to level 2 on their scientific charts.
I haven't met a technocrat before but it seems I found one. It's as disgusting as I imagined.