Poet Jon Cotner takes people on “conceptual walks” around New York City: “I’ll give each participant two lines to repeat to strangers on the sidewalk. Possible lines include: “That looks pretty cozy” (uttered when someone approaches with a baby carriage); “That’s a good-looking wolfpack” (uttered when someone passes with three or more dogs); “I hear that’s a nice way to cool off” (said when someone passes with an ice-cream cone, iced coffee, or slushy) … they inevitably produce laughter and warm, oceanic feelings. They replace urban anonymity with something bordering on affection — even if it’s fleeting. The accumulation of these moments can be blissful.”