“People love hugging”, states designer Celina Alvarado.

I dunno, Celina, that’s pretty broad. I mean, I like hugging – hugs are pretty fly. But to say I love hugging implies a level of commitment I’m unsure I’m ready for.

…and with apprehension of that magnitude, it’s no wonder I’m not even close to married.

Anyway, hugs. Alvarado is a fan of them. So much so, in fact, that she has gone to the trouble of developing a wearable device that not only logs the duration and intensity of hugs, but passes judgment on them – and tweets the results.

Of course it tweets the results. Because I want to read the Twitter feed of a judgmental hug-bot. Then again, I guess people have read more inane internet drivel. Hell, you’re reading me right now.

Alvarado’s hug device debuted at the Maker Faire last weekend in New York, where she was able to snag over 450 hugs from geeks of all makes and models.

“I let them hold it. I just supported them. they would decide when to stop.
when to let me go.
I felt I was theirs. For a moment or two. Or more.
Some made me close my eyes and just feel their arms around me.”

Creepy.