wildyams

I came across this article today, and it kinda struck a chord with me. According to what this guy says in his article, I seem to fall right into the introvert category:

"Do you know someone who needs hours alone every day? Who loves quiet conversations about feelings or ideas, and can give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but seems awkward in groups and maladroit at small talk? Who has to be dragged to parties and then needs the rest of the day to recuperate? Who growls or scowls or grunts or winces when accosted with pleasantries by people who are just trying to be nice?"

I dunno about being able to give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but otherwise that's pretty much me to a tee. I've never considered myself shy, but according to this guy's definition you don't have to be shy to be introverted:

"Introverts are not necessarily shy. Shy people are anxious or frightened or self-excoriating in social settings; introverts generally are not. Introverts are also not misanthropic, though some of us do go along with Sartre as far as to say 'Hell is other people at breakfast.' Rather, introverts are people who find other people tiring."

I like the Sartre quote lol. I'm guessing this description maybe makes me sound like an asshole, and maybe I am an asshole, I dunno. I don't find everyone tiring, but I will say that most people do tire me out, or perplex me, or confuse me with their interests and motivations. However, these people I do not spend much time with, so odds are if you know me and spend time with me, you are not one of these people (so don't think this is directed at anyone out there lol. Odds are if you're reading this, its not about you).

My one complaint with this guy's article is something that bothers me about a lot of people. I hate people who make statements about how intelligent they are. For me there is nothing that is a surer sign of ignorance than boasting about how intelligent you are. So this bit in his article really annoyed me:

"Are introverts arrogant? Hardly. I suppose this common misconception has to do with our being more intelligent, more reflective, more independent, more level-headed, more refined, and more sensitive than extroverts."

This is a rather contradictory statement, don't you think? 'I'm not arrogant. You just see me that way cause I'm better than you.' Uhhh, hello? lol Who the hell knows who's smarter or more sensitive or refined than anyone else is? Making comparisons like those seem like a waste of time to me. Anyway, other than the occasionally haughty statement like that, the article is kinda interesting, so read it if you've got a chance :-)