query: You’re in a prison cell even though you know you’ve not committed a crime. That’s where you are and you’re alone and have been for longer than you can remember. The warden asks if you would like company so you won’t be alone. The warden explains that you can, if you wish, select anyone of your family and friends and they will be brought to live in your cell with you. Would you consider this offer?

I might consider it very briefly.  But I would not wish that kind of imprisonment on anyone I love.  So I would decline the offer, and hope that someday I would be allowed to leave the cell and rejoin my loved ones.

Besides, no matter how much you love someone, I think that if you and someone else were locked up in a cell alone, you’d drive each other bonkers eventually!

Yeah.. I’d ask for an internet connection instead..

I’m reminded of Red Dwarf, in which the Lister asks why the computer has re-created the most annoying, obnoxious person on the entire ship, instead of some of the folks he actually *liked*. The computer tells him that it’s to keep him sane. “But he’ll drive me crazy!” “No he won’t. you won’t give him the satisfaction.”

I don’t know. Right now I’d say that I would refuse the offer, but if it was really happening and I was hugely lonely then maybe…

No. Because they would ultimately resent me for it which wouldn’t really help make the situation any more bearable.

And if I’ve been in here, alone, longer than I can remember, how can I remember having friends and family?

On the other hand, if a friend or family member willingly offered to come join me I would consider it. It would certainly depend on who it was whether I would accept or not, but I would consider it.

Only if they were a lockpick or locksmith

Sure, I’d consider the offer.  I always consider options.  Whether I’d accept it or not is another question!