The introvert phenomenon

For all I have an interest in temperament type and psychological concerns, I have never read a book on being an introvert. But I did read this article in the Guardian the other day, thanks to a random twitter link, which claims that it is the most important aspect of “personality”. I then discovered that the article is an excerpt from a book I have seen about and read reviewed by Austin Kleon here (and I think it’s so nice that he is interested in introverts, though an extrovert himself, because he is married to one). There's also a TED talk here.

I can't remember what my percentage was on the introvert/extravert scale when I did the test, and don't feel particularly burdened by being an introvert. That said I certainly do think the “extravert ideal” is alive and well, and I do recall feeling the introvert burden more at school (but isn't everything more difficult as a teenager?). I made the very big mistake of electing to do Drama in Years 9 and 10, then suffered for it. I still remember the day the teacher arranged an exercise where a sneeze was started by one person in the classroom very softly and as it went around the room it had to get louder and more dramatic with each person, and she deliberately did some convoluted configuration so that it ended with me. (And thanks to the clowns who came before me it was building up to something crazy.) That folks is NOT MY THING. And these days I am fine with that. If other people want to act out raucous sneezes to further their education, good for them. So, I was interested to read this part:

Or at school you might have been prodded to come "out of your shell" – that noxious expression that fails to appreciate that some animals naturally carry shelter everywhere they go, and that some humans are just the same.

Though I am not sure it's about carrying around a shelter, as though hiding or self-protection were the point. I think introverts can make themselves as truly vulnerable as anyone, in areas where it matters most (which I don't deem is performance sneezes). Truth is, I think I am quite sociable and conversational, and not traditionally shy (and I would agree with those who say that shyness can be selfishness, if it means you are leaving it to others to do the hard work in social situations). And I am not convinced that there is any difference in the quality of relationships held by extraverts and intraverts. So I liked this quote too:

A few things introverts are not: the word introvert is not a synonym for hermit or misanthrope. Introverts can be these things, but most are perfectly friendly.

Anyway, I am not sure that this post has a point, but to say that I might read the book (I'll add it to the long list). As with all efforts to understand thyself I think the goal should be becoming aware of your weaknesses and strengths and improving what you can, not necessarily just revelling and indulging in all that you are. Whether or not this books aids that, I shall perhaps see.