touch

Monkeys need touch. People are monkeys (well, okay, apes. Well, okay, it's more complicated. Just go with me here). Ergo, people need touch. We seem to forget this. In fact, we seem to put effort into ignoring it, detaching from it, burying this most primal of needs.

Are we nuts?

Over the years there have been studies. Lots of them. They all seem to show the same thing: yes, we really do need touch; no, ignoring it doesn't work; yes, we actually need the brain and body chemistry caused by touch, and no, it's not all about sex.

consider this: cuddle parties.

I had this idea yesterday. An image. Riding the subway, standing on the bus, the person behind you reaches forward, says, May I?, gently puts a hand on your shoulder. You turn around, say, Thanks, that feels nice.

Can you even imagine?