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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
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Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
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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