I got the same impression. The article felt like two articles hastily joined in the middle. The first was some musing on the loneliness and disconnected lives

I got the same impression. The article felt like two articles hastily joined in the middle. The first was some musing on the loneliness and disconnected lives Americans now lead, with some unsupported thoughts as to why. Then it launched into a description of the problems of a local diner owner. The article was heavy on the heartstrings, light on the facts.