Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihuxf.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!hplabs!intelca!qantel!ihnp4!ihuxf!features From: features@ihuxf.UUCP (M.A. Zeszutko) Newsgroups: net.singles Subject: Re: wants vs needs, luxury vs necessity Message-ID: <2659@ihuxf.UUCP> Date: Thu, 8-Aug-85 13:17:52 EDT Article-I.D.: ihuxf.2659 Posted: Thu Aug 8 13:17:52 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 12-Aug-85 06:25:29 EDT References: <735@lll-crg.ARPA> <1742@reed.UUCP> <765@lll-crg.ARPA> Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 25 Continuing the discussion: > > > [...] I think that hugs are very necessary and important. People need > > that kind of physical contact. > > This sort of physical contact is NOT important and is definitely NOT > necessary. [``Kin yew say "hermit"? Iah knew ya could!''] It is purely > a luxury, like eating chocolate or or not having to work on the weekend > or having a *friend. An individual does not NEED to grow to optimum strength, either, but I wouldn't want folks to be malnourished. Of course, an adult doesn't shrivel up and die if s/he doesn't get X-hugs per day. But, I know some kids suffer from "failure to thrive" (as it's termed by the social workers), and it's often cured by lots of hugging, cuddling and body contact. It's my experience that adults would like to have the same kind of TLC but don't know where to find it. You don't NEED the hugs, but then you don't NEED to be a loving and beloved person, either. -- aMAZon @ AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL; ihnp4!ihuxf!features