Look at this article. It seems the world has a negative view of Introverts. Which shouldn't be.
This online article that I encountered in Google Answers (thanks Byrd) has one of the most wonderful comments about introversion I've ever encountered. One of the most misunderstood and maltreated types of people in the world is the introvert. Of course, most of you know what an introvert is: someone who just wants to be alone and doesn't like people.
Wrong, says the writer of the above article. An introvert is merely someone who merely gets tired of people easily. Extroverts are those who just like to have people around - sometimes more often than necessary. It is agreed on many fronts and disciplines that individual, solitary time - often known as 'quiet time' - is a need rather than a want. Introverts have a point. You can't be with people all the time. Everyone needs a chance to be alone.
How you may just say, 'hold on a second' and say, 'man is gregarious, we need to be with people.' Well, yes you are right... but on every second of every time? I mean, just try having a looney with you who keeps criticizing your colorless toenails or someone who thinks he knows the solution to the problems around you ('all you need is love') for one whole day. It's a pain in the @$$!!!!
Seriously, having people around me is mentally and physically draining. I feel that very often. That's why I often look for times to be alone. Even more than the times I'm with people. It makes no sense to force yourself to be situations that tire you needlessly. That I do by increasing my time alone compared to my time with people.
You might think, that is stupid. Man is a gregarious animal, you may argue, and he must always be with people. Now if that's true, why have psychologists recognized that there is a need for man to be alone sometimes. Old-school moralists would quote The Bible: "It is not good that man should be alone." But it didn't say man should not be alone all the time. The question deserves to be asked: why the blazes should people always look for other people? I've met even very outgoing people who say that there should be some moments of quiet time in one's life. Withdrawing from the company of other people facilitates meditation and contemplation.
So why the fascination of some with looking for people all the time? Well, you can guess some people are really extrovert, and you can't fault them for that. But what about cases when being around some people offers you a chance to control them... sorry, I can't help it with these social conspiracy theories. They're so obvious to me. People who look for other people often look for them to control them. That might be a paranoid view to you, but to me it's a valid standpoint to consider.
You know, the popularity with inspirational books and stuff is probably affecting people's perception of introversion-extroversion. I mean John Maxwell, Stephen Covey, there's Dale Carnegie of course, and all those people who are so powdered up in public that they're I can't say they're really bad... but are they, even unwittingly, in their teachings and seminars, contributing to the destruction of the introvert? I've encountered one of them saying everyone should be a people person... oh? Is that truly beneficial? I doubt so.
But if you ask me, the introvert need not be destroyed. No, wait... the introvert should NOT be destroyed. There's a purpose for such a type of person in the world. The introvert thinks and mulls more than the extrovert. This is very important when you get to planning and decision-making. Think more. Talk less. And act more. That's the introvert way.
I also got the book the The Introvert Advantage. It has the same points as above. It'll be more revolutionary reading for the inquisitive and truthseeking mind.
So people (if you are people). You must understand introverts.
OK, more for the money.
The Tyranny of the Extroverts
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