“Who’s the Loser”: Charles Barkley Urges People to Change After Shocking Stats Disclosure

Charles Barkley wants to solve the national problem of loneliness. The NBA legend with a diverse social circle, who tolerates Shaq every Thursday, and makes a fool of himself in front of celebrities by playing golf was appalled to discover the reality. The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson was on King Charles where he explained a recent survey that showed majority of the Americans don’t have close friends. Chuck, who may be the glue of his social circle, can’t relate.

He was so taken aback by the revelation, he asked Thompson, “Who’s the loser who don’t have friends?” The reporter revealed the statistics concluded by a Bureau of Labor Statistics survey on time use. This survey that analyses how does the average American spend their day showed that in-person socializing has greatly declined.

Barkley was having a tough time wrapping his head around numbers that showed in-person socializing has gone down by 25%. A further demographic breakdown detailed the number is greater for males, including a 50% decline in youth. He, however, told Barkley that there’s no answer to why people don’t have friends.

Gayle King asked what people do instead of socializing. The survey showed that most people stay indoors and watch television by themselves. The King Charles hosts and guests were disappointed by the reality. Chuck in particular had a strong suggestion for rectifying the situation.

Charles Barkley is a true BFF

Barkley pleaded to the people that they needed to go out and meet people on a weekly basis. He adviced having a group of friends and it should be a routine to go out with them, maybe together or one or two of them, preferably on weekends. “You should go out with t with your friends,” he repeats a few times.

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Why does he feel so passionate about it? Contrary to his whiny old man act, the Chuckster is the kind of friend we only see in movies. He was one of Michael Jordan’s closest friends but they fell out because of his blunt comments. Barkley stood by his honest opinion but also missed his friendship with Jordan. After Tiger Woods ended their friendship unilaterally, Chuck expressly missed him too and still defends him from critics. Even Stephen A. Smith said that Barkley is a loveable guy and that gives hope for reconciliation with MJ.

Chuck jumped on the opportunity to do a show with his longtime friend, Gayle King. As for his weekly ritual, it might not look like he’s enjoying being bullied by Shaq and Kenny every Thursday on Inside the NBA and he might only like Ernie. But when they’re not around, he’d proclaim his genuine love for his fellow goofballs. So Sir Charles is not a statistic and he’d like others to experience some real friendships too.

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