i did receive a few unbelievable topics that i can not WAIT to get into. wow. i love love love the way you guys think. all these fun, intreguing, complicated little (big?) brains running around... it's no wonder i adore you all.
my winning brain teaser was this: to get a sense of personality traits... specifically the view of an introvert ( we'll call him Mr. M) from an extrovert (me) and vice versa.... also what it's like to see things differently. at least that's what i understood (Mr. M is incredibly smart and i was so excited about this chall.... nevermind. point.)
let's define the bases, shall we? my "vast" knowledge of computers shows the "cut and paste" philosophy. just follow.
INTROVERT....Contrary to what most people think, an introvert is not simply a person who is shy. In fact, being shy has little to do with being an introvert! Shyness has an element of apprehension, nervousness and anxiety, and while an introvert may also be shy, introversion itself is not shyness. Basically, an introvert is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.
Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge."
EXTROVERT....Most people believe that an extrovert is a person who is friendly and outgoing. While that may be true, that is not the true meaning of extroversion. Basically, an extrovert is a person who is energized by being around other people. This is the opposite of an introvert who is energized by being alone.
Extroverts tend to "fade" when alone and can easily become bored without other people around. When given the chance, an extrovert will talk with someone else rather than sit alone and think. In fact, extroverts tend to think as they speak, unlike introverts who are far more likely to think before they speak. Extroverts often think best when they are talking. Concepts just don't seem real to them unless they can talk about them; reflecting on them isn't enough
it's probably no shock that i am probably a poster child for the stereotypical extrovert... lampshade included (not recently...). i'll talk to anyone. about anything. usually until they get annoyed and leave. i really like debates (ok, arguments. friendly fire, if you will). i make my money by being quippy and "funny" (relative term, i suppose). i'm pretty darn comfortable in any social situation, so much so that i NEED social interaction. however, being like this has it's faults. i've gotten myself into a lot of trouble with this mouth. my filter is lacking, i'm sometimes insensitive, and there's been more than a few scrappy altercations because of it.
i married an introvert.
he's quiet.... i do all the talking. he's a homebody... i'm out on the town. he's a thinker... i'm the doer.
he nods while i talk talk talk talktalktalk. he analyzes... i over analyze or not at all.
there are a few things one should know about our beloved introverts.
*If a person is introverted, it does NOT mean they are shy or anti-social.
Introverts have more brain activity in their frontal lobes and when these areas are activated through solitary activity, introverts become energized through processes such as problem solving, introspection, and complex thinking. Extroverts on the other hand tend to have more activity in the back of their brain, areas that deal with processing sensory information from the external world, so they tend to search for external stimuli in the form of interacting with other people and the outside world to energize them. There’s a deeper science to this that involves differences in the levels of brain chemicals such as acetylcholine and dopamine in extroverts and introverts, but I won’t get into that.
*Introverts tend to dislike small talk.
Introverts tend to love deep conversations on subjects that interest them. They love to debate, go past the superficial and poke around the depths in people’s minds to see what’s really going on in there. Most, if not all introverts tend to regard small talk as a waste of time, unless it’s with someone new they just met. This characteristic probably contributes to another misconception that extroverts have of introverts - the misconception that all introverts are arrogant.
*Introverts do like to socialize – only in a different manner and less frequently than extroverts.
introverts can do a lot of things extroverts are naturally good at - give great speeches, schmooze with everyone, be the life of the party, charm the socks off of total strangers - but only for a short period of time. After that, they need time for themselves which brings us to the fourth point.
*Introverts need time alone to recharge.
Extroverts tend to think introverts have something against them as they constantly seem to refuse generous invites to social engagements. Introverts do appreciate the offers, but it’s just that they know it will take a lot of energy out of them if they pursue these social functions.
*Introverts are socially well adjusted
Most introverts are well aware of all the social nuances, customs, and mannerisms when it comes to interacting with other people, but they simply don’t choose to socialize as much as extroverts, which makes it easy for extroverts to assume that introverts are not socially well adjusted, as they have not seen much evidence of them interacting with other people. This just exacerbates previous misconceptions and gives way to labeling introverts as nerds, geeks, loners, etc.
it's pretty easy to see why society places a "higher" value on extroverts. absolutely UNFAIR and a load of rubbish. being one way or the other isn't "right or wrong" just different. it's a respect thing. one human showing respect to another for being HUMAN... unique, true, open and honest about life and their emotions (freaked you all out again. emotionemotionemotion)
thank you, Mr. M. you've opened up my mind to a whole new concept of life on the quiet side. i can't say that i'll stay here long, but the 30 minutes i've put into this in silence has left the male introvert in this household VERY happy.
lets get a beer, soon. i'll bring the lampshade.
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