The author never dismisses that lonely people are out there.
He is specifically attacking the claim that loneliness is a new and quickly accelerating trend.
even the best numbers we have on these phenomena are problematic and incomplete
Sure but he does not say this. He says "In the 1980s, 20 percent of Americans said they were often lonely. Now it’s 40 percent. "
Don't think that communication and discussion at a national levels becomes more difficult when people can just make up any numbers they want to support their point, and never have to correct them?
He is specifically attacking the claim that loneliness is a new and quickly accelerating trend.
even the best numbers we have on these phenomena are problematic and incomplete Sure but he does not say this. He says "In the 1980s, 20 percent of Americans said they were often lonely. Now it’s 40 percent. "
Don't think that communication and discussion at a national levels becomes more difficult when people can just make up any numbers they want to support their point, and never have to correct them?