Introverts Unite!

[RainyDayGuy]

I figure there are a fair number of introverts around and that perhaps they might find this TED talk interesting if you weren't already aware of it. I've been reading her book as well and I find it very interesting and insightful.



Link to the book on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307352153/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_USwutb1S9WP0SCRQ

 

[HiGirlsRHot]

I figure there are a fair number of introverts around and that perhaps they might find this TED talk interesting if you weren't already aware of it. I've been reading her book as well and I find it very interesting and insightful.



Link to the book on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307352153/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_USwutb1S9WP0SCRQ

Her book Quiet: The Power of Introverts is excellent. I am only marginally introverted in the Meyers-Briggs scale. But as I was reading it, I kept thinking the people who really need to read this are the extroverts in our lives. My ex-girlfriend, my sister for her very introverted husband, and my really extroverted mom for all the introverts in her life. Not sure what the trick is getting them to sit quietly in a corner and read a long and pretty dense book :?

 

[JubalCobb]

I love that book.

I met her at my last job. They bring in authors to speak, and the first x people get a free copy of the speakers book.

 

[MsAllyCat]

Oh that TED and that book are excellent. I am an introvert much to many peoples surprise.

On Thursday at a course I am doing we all did the Myer Briggs. I landed INFP as I always have (I've done it three times now, twice in half day workshop context - wasting tax payers money working for gov). Anyway, this woman on Thursday mocked me, called me out "you???!! You an introvert " rah rah. Was embarrassing. For her mainly. I stated I was an introvert who has learned to live in an extrovert world. Then As a dig I added that being introvert / extrovert has less to do with how much and how loud you talk that extroverts probably realise. Then she told me I need a few drinks In me. Urgh. I muttered " I don't drink. But you might lead me to smoke crack to get through this course".

Anyway, I am taking that book in on Tuesday for a guy I was telling about it. Highly recommend.

I am an introverted exhibitionist. Makes people think.

 

[hapa74]

I stated I was an introvert who has learned to live in an extrovert world.

I feel you on this one. I think that I've become a lot more sure of myself, and have come out of my shell over the years. It has come to the point where some people don't believe I'm introverted. It's just that I work hard at putting myself out there

 

[Lilith Vine]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I wish more people understood what being an introvert is really about! I haven't read the book yet, but it's definitely going on my list of books to buy!

 

[VeronicaChaos]

I saw this before, and while I agree that introverts should get the same respect as extroverts...these pro-introvert PSAs always just bring to mind someone masturbating furiously in the mirror. All of those "facts" about introverts is laughable; different people have different abilities that has little to nothing to do with how they're verted. Some introverts really do need a kick in the ass to socialize; it doesn't matter how much creativity you harness in the solitude of your own company if you can't communicate with people properly enough to share the fruits of your isolation. Likewise, some of the most creative people I've met have been extroverts.

Where's the video about extroverts being forced to sit quietly in class and not work with others? You know, the one where they complain about how nobody understands them and thinks they're all just party party party when in fact, they can also enjoy the company of only themselves and ponder quietly just as well as anyone else?

Wah wah wah.

Edit: I'm an introvert. And I'm grateful for all the times teachers have forced me to learn social skills because without them I wouldn't be able to make any money from all the bullshit I come up with in my quarantine-I mean apartment.

 

[KylieJacobs]

There was this image that I saw online a couple months ago that easily explained the difference between introverts and extroverts that makes a lot of sense.

Introverts: feel drained when being around a group of people and need to recharge afterwards

Extroverts: feel energized when they are around a group of people

This image is kind of similar, but adds in other categories:

 

[RainyDayGuy]

Well, the point of the book, which is more comphrensive than her TED talk, is that our society has tilted towards valuing extrovert traits more than introvert traits to the detriment of society as a whole. The point is to restore balance and value the contributions of both personality types. Not quite sure how that equates to masturbating in front of a mirror.

 

[KudosKids]

There needs to be a introvert movement. It took me so long to get a not even that great paying of a job because I am a introvert and people think I'm to shy for the job or I suck at customer service because I hate small talk and thats what interviews are about. It is such a struggle in this world to be a introvert. To many judgements are passed on us. We need to march for our rights. I know I can't be the only one who has had many struggles because I am introverted.

 

[HarmlessSquirrel]

There was this image that I saw online a couple months ago that easily explained the difference between introverts and extroverts that makes a lot of sense.

Introverts: feel drained when being around a group of people and need to recharge afterwards

Extroverts: feel energized when they are around a group of people

This image is kind of similar, but adds in other categories:

<chart not copied for technical reasons, but it's in Kylie's post above>


The chart adds shy and obnoxious. I don't really think of either of those things as alternatives to introvert/extrovert, but it's sort of interesting to see what they had to say. My favorite part is the punctuation. I'm a serious comma guy (although I'd choose parentheses if that was an option).

I kind of doubt many people identify with the obnoxious category.

There needs to be a introvert movement. It took me so long to get a not even that great paying of a job because I am a introvert and people think I'm to shy for the job or I suck at customer service because I hate small talk and thats what interviews are about. It is such a struggle in this world to be a introvert. To many judgements are passed on us. We need to march for our rights. I know I can't be the only one who has had many struggles because I am introverted.

A lot of the desirable things in life do tend to require extroverted behavior in order to get them -- jobs, mates, getting good deals for yourself in all sorts of things, and so on. Yes, it sure is hard for introverts, and I certainly am one. Of course, one problem with marching for our rights is that that is itself an extroverted act. Another problem is that a lot of the unfairness we'd be marching against is inside our own heads. There are a few things that might be made a bit less people-intensive, and the internet is probably going to make some of that happen (and already has in some cases). Still, most jobs will probably require some sort of interview. Hopefully, they won't care much if you can't tell a good bubbly golf story if you're trying for a programming job, but there will still be the stress. It will still be hard to find your soul-mate without somehow talking to candidates and arranging to spend time together. Ultimately, it's on us to find a way to deal with people things despite being introverts.