By popular demand, it’s time to examine which “vert” is superior in society. Before doing so, let’s point out the key characteristics of both groups.
Introverts:
1) More reserved and less outspoken in groups
2) Takes pleasure in solitary activities
3) Likely to enjoy time spent alone and find less reward in time spent with large groups of people
4) Enjoys interaction with close friends
5) Trust is limited… Introverts choose their friends wisely
6) Like to concentrate on a single activity at a time
7) Like to observe situations before they participate
8) Overwhelmed by too much social interactions
Extroverts:
1) Enjoy human interactions
2) Are enthusiastic, talkative, assertive, and gregarious
3) Take pleasure in activities that involve large social gatherings (parties, community activities, public demonstrations, business/political groups)
4) Politics, teaching, sales, managing, and brokering are important fields
5) Likely to enjoy time spent with people, finds less reward in time spent alone
6) Tend to be energized around other people, and are more prone to boredom when by themselves
Before I go into any more detail, I’d like to say I HATE CLASSIFYING people into groups. To say a person is an extrovert or an introvert is a form of classification, which I would argue as bad is as labeling people based on race, sex, creed, or religion. At the same time, people are likely to possess elements of both groups. My own personal belief is I’m about half of each, but of course the Myers-Brigg personality test told me otherwise, with me scoring at 75% in extroversion. Based on what I see above, I’m about to point out the positive and negative traits that can come out of being a member of either group.
Part 1: Dependency
Who’s the more dependent person? Introverts can very easily function on their own, and less prone to boredom when they are by themselves. Extroverts on the other hand rely on other people for the energy to ultimately keep them going. Though dependency might sometimes be a good thing, in this case Introverts have the upper hand due to their independence.
Introverts: +1
Extroverts: 0
Part 2: Diarrhea of the Mouth
Talk talk talk talk talk. If you’re close enough to an introvert, you will most likely engage in a deep conversation with them, which is always a plus. Meanwhile, if you’re an extrovert you either a) are really excited and super easy to talk to or b) you can’t shut up and you’re really annoying. Because of the fact that extroverts pose a dangerous risk to the world with their diarrhea spewing everywhere, introverts clearly gain another point.
Introverts: +2
Extroverts: 0
Part 3: Professional Track
And yet, we all know the loud and confident are often the people that win the end. Hence, why the jocks get the cheerleader, and not the quiet nerd. The loud ones are the ones that can convey their message effectively, get elected as politicians, and score in a group interview. As a result, extroverts have the upper hand in this particular arena.
Introverts: 2
Extroverts: +1
Part 4: Multitasking
Introverts get stressed with the mere prospect of multitasking, while extroverts most likely love it. In this world where everything is about doing everything as quickly as possible, extroverts win. Which means you can talk on the phone, in person, and carry 5-10 facebook conversations at roughly the same time.
Introverts: 2
Extroverts: +2
Part 5: Quality over Quantity
Extroverts make friends more easily than introverts. As a result, they’re more likely to have more shallow and trivial relationships. At the same time, introverts pick particular people to be their friends, confide in them, and get ultimately closer. It comes down to the question of quantity vs. quality which I have addressed in a previous blog discussion. QUALITY always win, and as a result, introverts win again.
Introverts: +3
Extroverts: 2
Part 6: Life Experiences
Extroverts are more likely to do more, try more, and become more. Engaging with more people leads to infinite possibilities, and can often take them down the road of new challenging life experiences. This could be a positive experience such as Disneyland, or a negative experience such as experiencing one’s first hangover.
Introverts: 3
Extroverts: +3
Part 7: Finding “The One.”
At the end of the day, what we should all be concerned about is who we end up with as a whole. And that fundamentally will answer the question of which “vert” is better. It is most often the case that an extroverted person should end up with an introverted person. Two extroverts often make for a relationship that is often clashing for control of the pants, while two introverts can often make for a relationship that lacks a bit of excitement. A proper balance needs to be maintained, and that can only be done with a perfect E-I match. As a result, if extroverts love introverts for who they are, and introverts love extroverts for who they are, I LOVE BOTH PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY ARE. Classifying people is WRONG, and at the same time, focusing on the flaws of an introvert or extrovert will get one nowhere in life. I say we appreciate life for what it is, and in this world there are no winners, just losers.
Introverts: +1000000000
Extroverts: +1000000000
Feel free to vote anyway.
[poll id=”27″]
