"Evolution is Just a Theory"

Buzzflash sent me a blurb on the "Evolution is Just a Theory" pin.

Cute, but I don't want one. *I* want one that says

Gravity. Special Relativity. Evolution. All "just theories".

That, or a "gravity is just a theory" pin.

Introverts of the World, Unite!

Introverts of the World, Unite!

It's been so long since I've read the original essay (and written my own on arguing with an introvert -- specifically an INTJ-type introvert -- mate), it's time to revisit:

The original essay:Caring for Your Introvert. My favorite line is still the description of extroverts as "inscrutable as puppy dogs."

In our extrovertist society, being outgoing is considered normal and therefore desirable, a mark of happiness, confidence, leadership. Extroverts are seen as bighearted, vibrant, warm, empathic. "People person" is a compliment. Introverts are described with words like "guarded," "loner," "reserved," "taciturn," "self-contained," "private"—narrow, ungenerous words, words that suggest emotional parsimony and smallness of personality.

And from the recent interview with Rauch (Introverts of the World, Unite!):

Yet the uncomprehending extrovert majority imposes its own gregarious expectations on extroverts and introverts alike—compelling incessant socializing, enthusiastic party-going, and easy shooting of the breeze as norms. Introverts, Rauch pointed out—though an oppressed minority—comprise a significant portion of the population. Their quiet, introspective ways, he argued, should therefore be viewed not as a deviation from standard, but as a different kind of normal.

One of the things that Rauch notes is the "brain pressure" of being constantly with an extrovert (or squad of them). I've always thought of it as rising to their energy level. It takes work to emote the way an extrovert does when you're not one yourself, and it sucks to always get called a "party pooper" when you can't maintain it, or don't have the energy in the first place and therefore dread going, etc.

Another thing Rauch describes is that there is a difference between introversion and shyness, saying that a social event leaves him wiped, yet running a business meeting causes no feelings of reluctance or anxiety.

On "small talk" v. "big talk", after noting how draining the former is for an introvert:

[O]nce an introvert gets on a subject that they know about or care about or that intrigues them intellectually, the opposite often takes hold. They get passionately engaged and turned on by the conversation. But it's not socializing that's going on there. It's learning or teaching or analyzing, which involves, I'm convinced, a whole different part of the brain from the socializing part.

Introverts aren't actually shy -- you're just too goddamn chatty, is all.