I've been in a discussion elsewhere about wants and needs. I'm wondering whether there is really any point in distinguishing between the two unless one simply defines needs as only what is physically necessary to survive (food, water, tactile contact in infants, oxygen, etc.).

I seldom feel sure about what I need, and if I say I need it, over against saying I want it, I tend to feel I'm just trying to add some pressure to a request for something. Like: "I need you to comment on my blog today so I don't feel like nobody cares about what I have to say."