Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I Am An Introvert

I have often the feeling we live in a society made for extroverts where we must exchange all the times the roles of entertainers and audience. People want to be entertained, things are either entertaining or not worthy at all, entertainment is king. Not my game. Not my circus, not my monkeys.

I don't want to entertain, or be entertained. I don't believe it should be the main point of conversations. Words may be used to give practical information, or to build bridges with others, not to feel alone, and to make others feel they are not alone either. Not simply to fill in voids, or to pass the time.

There is too much small talk. Small talk has nothing to do with the topic of the conversation, but with the purpose of it. And entertaining is a really small purpose.
I think ONLY talking for the purpose of entertaining is small. There are many people who enjoy witty, eloquent conversation, and that is every bit as legitimate as preferring to only speak when you have something important to convey.

You should not be pressured to be entertaining, but neither should someone else earn disdain for being entertaining. It does take all kinds to make a world.

This modern day concept that you are only worthwhile if you are like me is pressuring everyone to conform when variety is what makes the world interesting.
@Cierzo I agree. Maybe a small reminder that you are an introvert due to whatever shaped you. Many comedians as well as other entertainers are as they are because of what shaped them. The best entertainers (Shakespeare comes to mind) use their wit and eloquence to make important statements while their audiences are unaware they are being educated.

Neither your way nor my way is the wrong way or the right way (I have loved all my pets but never starved anybody to feed them).

If you are surrounded by people who are never serious the world will surely look like a shallow place. And it has changed drastically from the days when the only entertainment available was family and close friends.

Maybe I have a different feeling about this because I turned off my television about a year ago and have not switched it on again, except for a couple of Olympic events. It was just too much constant racket,

I too spend most of my time alone, reading and writing. I have been considering withdrawing from SW because of the ‘noise’ and constant negative influences, to which I am very susceptible.

We each do what we must to coexist with our own mind and spirit. Anyone who is perceived as ‘different’ makes others uncomfortable.
As with any other form of behavior that deviates from the norm, it is to be expected that others won’t ‘get you.’
Cierzo · M
@Mamapolo2016 I have considered leaving here too, and if I have not done it yet is for a very dear person who is here too. You are very right when you talk about noise. There is too much noise in the world, too much information, too many concepts, too many theories about how to live a healthy life, be happy...
When the best way to be happy is to be useful and productive and stop worrying about how you can get happy, @Cierzo
novembermoon · 51-55
You are so right. Words are not to fill voids or pass time.

I think certain types of people are very fond of holding others as captive audience for their purpose. And such people dominate at all our workplaces. They want the attention and they know jokes get people's attention. These are the extroverts.

Introverts don't talk to show-off. They talk to make connections. We need more introverts to be leaders and set the tone for workplaces to be more introvert-friendly.
Cierzo · M
@novembermoon I don't want a fight introverts against introverts. I just want recognition that silent work on your own is as important as team work, and not to be shoven forced interactions down my throat.
ethereal · F
I agree, the society has everything extroverted. I have struggled with it my whole life, with parents, friends, they all start asking questions if i stay alone reading or refuse to go out for entertainments like movies, dinners and what not.
I have stopped indulging in what society wants me to be, have a role of entertainer or audience. I am neither.
We see this in the news and product advancement ... entertainment
SW-User
Wouldn't this remove opinion and leave instruction, that would suggest one source, one ideal, one side. Doesnt sound great to me?
SW-User
@Cierzo I would suggest balance is needed, whilst small talk is 'entertaining' it also perpetuates popularisum and critism of official lines of thought. We should always question the official line, the accepted truths that comes in many form whether it be formal rational debate, or two guys over a beer one Saturday night. They are all valid forms of the communication of ideas whether it's small talk, humour, a sci-fi film?
Cierzo · M
@SW-User I understand your point. Small talk provides escapism rather than questioning the status-quo. That's why I see its prevalence today quite dangerous.
SW-User
@Cierzo depends what you're refering to, the subject? If it's science I'd disagree, if it's politics or religion I agree, but can you blame people for finding modern politics and religion entertainment. I'm sure the ancient Greeks are turning in thier graves!

 
Post Comment