[image error] Picture by Alubavin, licenced under Creative Commons License.

Former corporate lawyer and negotiations consultant Susan Caine has written an interesting take on introversion in her book Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking. She asks for more understanding and room for introverts in a world where extroverts get all the praise and attention. An introvert is simply a person who likes to spend a considerable amount of his or her time alone in quiet introspection, with a good book, listening to music while thinking things over or similarly solitary experience. It doesn't have to mean you don't like to have fun with friends or don't enjoy being loud every once in a while, just that often an introvert prefers a more intimate and quiet setting over a crowded party. Susan argues convincingly that introverts have certain advantages over the more extrovert of us. For example she cites statistics that show that introverts are better performers in school, despite the extroverts getting the limelight and applause. In out world introverts often get ostracised as eccentric or anti-social by those thinking all of us should be outgoing and socially hyperactive. She says;

"Extroversion is an enormously appealing personality trait, but we've turned it into an oppressive standard."

Take a look at a very good TED Talk  below summarizing some of the points from her book. We would live in a better world if introverts are given their place in society without being pressured to fit the an odd cultural norm;