Summary

This chapter begins with author Baker’s description of having finished writing the article on loneliness he had been assigned, having come to terms with the uncomfortable truths that he was both middle-aged and lonely for friendships. He sends the article in, convinced that no-one will read it because no one wants to think about loneliness.

“A few weeks later” (14), Baker finds himself on a radio program with Dr. Schwartz and the Surgeon General of the United States, discussing loneliness. Baker repeatedly describes himself as being publicly identified as a “loser” (14) in this situation, and comments that he does not feel at all qualified to discuss the bigger issues associated with his experience. He fears that the Surgeon General will ridicule him and debunk the comments in his article. Instead, he is surprised when the Surgeon General supports his analysis and claims, citing...