A number of years ago, an experiment was conducted with an orphaned monkey. It was given two choices: a surrogate who could provide it with milk and a surrogate who could embrace it with hugs.

The little monkey chose the surrogate who could give hugs. Now maybe someone thinks the monkey was pretty stupid. That people are rational and would have made a different choice. But if you could make only one sensible pick between a short life without food or a long life without love, what would cause the greatest suffering? And what would you choose?

Rating hugs: A lifeguard.