What Is The 'Cure To Male Loneliness?' Memes Inspired By The New York Times' Pickleball Article Explained

A New York Times article featuring a mustachioed man gazing tearfully out onto a pickleball court is being shared across the internet, partly due to the poignant yet perplexing cover art and partly due to the article's equally bizarre title, which asks, Is the Cure to Male Loneliness Out on the Pickleball Court?

Here's where the article came from, and how its various Photoshopped iterations were shared around the internet by people pushing their own ideas about the "Cure to Male Loneliness."

What Is The New York Times 'Cure To Male Loneliness Article' About?

In July 2023, The New York Times published an opinion piece written by Michelle Cottle. The article was titled, "Is the Cure to Male Loneliness Out on the Pickleball Court?" and the piece featured cover artwork by artist Benjamin Marra.

The article suggests that concerns about male mental health issues, often compounded by long working hours and isolation from social gatherings, can be tackled by men engaging in social and physical activities with their companions. This can take the form of hiking, golfing, competitive grilling, or even pickleball, the sport chosen by Cottle as a case study.

But the article didn't seem to grab as many eyeballs as its striking cover art and title did. Soon after the piece was published, Twitter user @TheMiddleborne posted an edit of the original cover, making it appear as if it read, "Is the Cure to Male Loneliness Retaking Constantinople?"

What Are Some Different Iterations Of The 'Cure To Male Loneliness' Meme?

Some people altered the original cover art to reflect the teary man gazing at different marvelous landscapes, while other memes forgo the original cover art in favor of their own spin on the article

For the full history of "Is the Cure to Male Loneliness Out on the Pickleball Court?" be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.