This is basically the theme of Spider Robinson's Melancholy Elephants from 1982 (http://spiderrobinson.com/melancholyelephants.html http://spiderrobinson.com/me

This is basically the theme of Spider Robinson's Melancholy Elephants from 1982 (http://spiderrobinson.com/melancholyelephants.html http://spiderrobinson.com/melancholyelephants.html full short story). Hugo winner, and if you haven't read it it's both highly relevant and a quick read.