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I’m not sure if you knew, but I am an introvert.  For example: today I woke up, read a book for 2 hours, emptied the dish washer, cooked an omelet, watched some TV with two of my roommates, took a nap, did some homework, watched some more TV, did some more homework, played some Starcraft by myself, and now I am watching a /r/starcraft KotH while I write this blog.  All day, with maybe an hour of human interaction(if you can call watching TV with people human interaction).  It was a good day.  A friend over facebook shared an article today entitled 10 Myths About Introverts, and that is what prompted this post.  Whenever the topic of introvert vs extrovert comes up, I’ve always seen introverts treated as a kind of broken person.  You know, introverts are shy, awkward, and people hating who should strive to become extroverts–the perfection of humanity.  I was always perfectly fine with being an introvert, I thought it fit my habits: computers, video games, reading, hiking, and building things.

Anyway, the article talks about several myths associated with the introvert persona.  I think most of them make sense so I’m going to put them here.  I’d suggest that you read them if you have friends that are introverts or even if you yourself are an introvert.  A couple of them taught me something new(like #9).

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true.  Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say.  They hate small talk.  Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert.  Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people.  What they need is a reason to interact.  They don’t interact for the sake of interacting.  If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking.  Don’t worry about being polite.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries.  They want everyone to just be real and honest.  Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have.  They can count their close friends on one hand.  If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life.  Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense.  Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG.  They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts.  They think a lot.  They daydream.  They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve.  But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with.  They [just] crave authentic and sincere connection[s] with [fewer people] at a time.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists.  They don’t follow the crowd.  They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living.  They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm.  They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions.  It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places.  Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies.  If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down.  Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine.  Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways.  Just look it up.  [This is factual and kinda tripped me out a little]

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers.  That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts.  Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race.  In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

Well I thought this was a good way to break my zombie status.  Amidst my last quarter at UCI, searching for a full time job, and setting up and posting on my professional website I have neglected this a bit.  I hope to not as my life gets a little less complicated soon enough.