For a lot of you "anti-socials"

Just reading through the posts in this forums, a lot of people seem to think there's something wrong with them just because they don't seem to be able to talk to people as much as anyone else.
I can relate to a lot of that because I was in that same boat of thinking I was some sort of outcast from society and that I just didn't "fit in", but I was lucky enough to have a lot of this explained to me - and through a lot of introspection and drugs I've realised that I have a lot more fun on my own, or with a small group of close friends than I do in a packed environment with a shit-ton of stuff going on. I'm not shy, I just can't be assed with all that.. I like pondering the universe, different situations, politics, the psyche - and chatting about random bullshit just doesn't phase me..

Of course this will not apply to everyone, but hopefully it'll help clear the minds of a few.


The full article is definitely worth a read, but if you're lazy and can't be assed I've stuck what I think are the best quotes from the article in here.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/mar/13/why-the-world-needs-introverts

Hopefully you get the picture... Fuck everybody else, do what you enjoy doing.



It's made me think.. that's probably why alcohol is such a popular drug these days. People feel out of place, so they get drunk and forget themselves so they can fit in and do stupid shit like everybody else.

 

Thank you very much for this article. Puts a lot in perspective for me.

 

I'm gonna have to sit here by myself and think about this...

 

People think there's something wrong with me or that I'm trolling when I tell them that I'm anti-social and not interested in hanging out/going out/partying whatever, but they're really just ignorant that some people are really, naturally like that

 

Wow shit, lot of positive responses from this already haha - thanks to all who +repped

Glad it helps though, I've been meaning to write something up myself but I read that article today which worded everything a lot better than I could have done.. so +rep to the journalist :2thumbsup:

 

Good to find consolation. Why it is so hard for people to accept that I do not want to go anywhere with them, simulate that I like it and being forced to speak about things they do...

 

Well I am in no state to read the whole article right now....but I agree with what you're saying especially the fuck everyone else and do what you want.

 

Very, very true It seems like a good number of people think they're "anti social" just because they don't want to go clubbing or engage in inane, unintelligent conversations about their coworkers' lives, yet they have meaningful relationships with like minded close friends or family. That's not anti social.

I don't see why people worry. If you have crushing social anxiety that leads to loneliness and unwanted isolation then that's one thing but as long as you're in a positive mental state and are satisfied with your life situation then who cares what others say?

 

Just saying the title confused me

As someone accused of antisocial personality disorder, I was surprised you were talking about introverts.

I am a quiet man, but I trained well to be social and it worked out to my advantage. but to each their own of course

 

Thanks for the article. Very nice!

 

Thanks for the article good read

 

For everyone of a normal person's friends, I have myself. I have my thoughts. I talk to myself. I read my books. Most people think of that as weird, and subconsciously accuse me of being "up to something."

The truth is... If you're lonely when you are by yourself then you are in bad company.

-BlkBks

 

I like that

 

sorry but that article is just completely wrong. First off, most people are a mix of introversive and extraversive traits, not pure introverts and extraverts. As such it is more difficult to put them in 'mostly this' or 'mostly that'. Already the standards by which the 'introverts' and 'extraverts' are defined (in that article) are so varied that it makes no sense to loop them together under one big lump (introverts are people who do well without sleep? Seriously? That has absolutely nothing to do with personality at all. Then introverts are the ones who 'learn from their mistakes'? Again, a completely wide and ambiguous point that doesn't follow from one's extraversion or introversion at all, or vice versa) and then draw sensical conclusions from it.

Second, the claim that our culture as a whole only values the extraversive personality and introverts are left in the shade (except the ones who launch companies from their garages obviously) is complete BS. We as human beings, by default, tend to admire individuals who make something of themselves. It's not an admiration for introversion or extraversion, per se. Achievement just appears to be more an 'extraversive' phenomenon since people who are in the spotlight stand out more, even if they are complete introverts. The author of the article has no obvious attachment to reality and their ideas are closer to delusion and self-flattery than the real state of things. 'talkative people are rated smarter'? Truth is a complete reverse! Imagine a person endlessly chattering on and on on every possible topic and you start thinking they might be a little off in the head. Now imagine that guy who sits quietly and rarely engages in conversation unless he has something important to say. Which one appears smarter? The latter, unquestionably.

Written by someone who fails to see the complete picture, and seems to be confused by even those tiny little pieces they've decided to throw in together, the article is incoherent and pretentious. The real point of the whole thing is – journalism hasn't improved a bit; it still publishes ramblings of halfwitted people dressing them up as absolute truth, but which is in essence just a misinformed opinion serving as self-jerk for the author and their audience.

Also, introversion and sociopathic personality tendencies are two different things.

 

Interesting article

 

Maybe it wasn't clear enough. Yes.. there's a whole spectrum, as with everything else in the world like: sexuality, musicality, logic, appearance, etc...

"It governs how likely we are to exercise (a habit found in extroverts), commit adultery (extroverts), function well without sleep (introverts), learn from our mistakes (introverts), place big bets in the stock market (extroverts), delay gratification (introverts), be a good leader (depends on the type of leadership called for), and ask "what if" (introverts)."

I read that and see no definite statements. Before you start bashing something relentlessly, you should actually take the time to read things carefully. I highlighted the key bit of information you missed out there.
Regarding the sleep.. think about it. Lack of sleep means being tired, and when anyone's tired they generally can't be assed socialising and shit like that. Introverts tend not to be doing a lot of that so, visibly, it will effect them less.. who knows how much it will affect thought.
Yeah yeah yeah, "that's not precise enough". Welcome to psychology, where you can't measure shit.

Once again.. think about it. If introverts tend to spend more time thinking, they'll think about why things went wrong.

Umm... well last time I checked most people can't read minds, so what appears to be extroversion(whether it is or isn't) is taken to be extroversion. The confident introvert with the successful business talking to hundreds of people daily is therefore perceived as an extrovert. So.. yes it is a more desirable personality trait.

No. You have no obvious attachment to reality, and your ideas resemble ignorance, lack of thought and self-flattery.

Sweeping statement... the very thing you were accusing the journalist of.

Sorry dude, I just laughed. The bold bits hint at why. Hypo*cough*crit*cough cough*.
Although I do agree most journalism is a load of shit, this is a good article.


Not sure why you felt the need to rip into the article as ruthlessly as you did, I'd offer you a spliff but I literally just finished my last J about 5 minutes ago

 

there was nothing ruthless about it. i read it, i disagreed. pretty much sums it up.

 

I shared the original post with my friend, a superfantastic artist who is somewhat of a hermit. We get along great because we're both anti-social and if one of us isn't in the mood to talk or visit, we simply say so and don't make up an excuse or lie about it. There is nothing wrong with being anti-social. It's better than being a social slut. (first word that came to mind)

Just wanted to share that if she had high-speed internet, she'd be writing this instead of me saying GREAT POST!

 

Ooops now I have to admit I haven't read the article yet. I promise I won't post again until I do!

 

I've been meaning to read this thread for a while. I'm glad you posted this. I just wish people would be more tolerant of people, like myself, who require large amounts of time for solitary mental pursuits. I've lost friends and lovers over this. I've tried, but I guess I don't have the art to clearly explain this to my more extroverted friends, past and present.