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The way you are talking about it comes across as extremely judgemental, and most of it is just plain wrong. Nowadays it is generally accepted that introverts f

The way you are talking about it comes across as extremely judgemental, and most of it is just plain wrong. Nowadays it is generally accepted that introverts find socializing to be exhausting while extroverts find it energizing. That's the key difference. This is thought to be due to a physiological difference in how the autonomic nervous system function. It's not a muscle to be exercised. Also, how you draw parallels between introversion and mental illness is really telling about how you view it. Being an introvert isn't a "condition" or a "flaw", and not wanting to be involved in social gatherings that you aren't interested in is not unhealthy. Being anti social or a misanthrope is a completely different issue. It's estimated that between 25-40 percent of people are introverts. That's a massive population you are writing off as defective and "needing to work on it"

HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago
> It's not a muscle to be exercised But maybe it should be. Just as you can lack physical strength and exercise to become stronger if you view that as desirable, you can be too introverted and work to become less so if you view your level of introversion as undesirable. OP isn't being unreasonable. It's certainly possible to find yourself in a position where you are extremely isolated. For some introverts that would be an ideal place to be, but for others it would be depressing and they would then have to learn how to become somewhat more extroverted. I think you're reading too much into what he's saying.
- bluefirebrand 5y ago
  > But maybe it should be This is just baffling to me. What are you even saying. Are you under the impression that being more social makes you less introverted? The way lifting weights makes your body stronger? It doesn't. It just makes you appear that way to ignorant people who still think being an introvert means you aren't very social. Being social is a skill you can practice. Being an introvert has nothing to do with that skill.
  - unethical_ban 5y ago
    I'll take your assertion into consideration as I research the topic, I mean it. Yes, I for one believe socialization and introversion are correlated. I used to be more extroverted, and now I am not, and the timing correlates with some life experiences including the pandemic and WFH. I am not a king legislating that everyone think like me, but in my personal experience, to be introverted is to have anti-social tendencies, and that is something that is suboptimal, all other things being equal.
    - HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago
      Age may have something to do with it. I read (don't remember where) that around age 40 our personalities tend to change in that regard: introverts may become more extroverted and vice versa. Unfortunately, I can't remember what, if any, the explanation given was.
  - HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago
    Trust me, I know what it means to be an introvert. I live deep in that particular forest! What I meant is that it is possible to reduce your level of introversion and actually enjoy being around people more and having it become less draining. In a way it's the reverse of what you said: becoming less introverted makes it easier to be more social. Yes, I've done it. No, I can't really explain to someone else what it was that I did.

HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago

> It's not a muscle to be exercised But maybe it should be. Just as you can lack physical strength and exercise to become stronger if you view that as desirable, you can be too introverted and work to become less so if you view your level of introversion as undesirable. OP isn't being unreasonable. It's certainly possible to find yourself in a position where you are extremely isolated. For some introverts that would be an ideal place to be, but for others it would be depressing and they would then have to learn how to become somewhat more extroverted. I think you're reading too much into what he's saying.

bluefirebrand 5y ago
> But maybe it should be This is just baffling to me. What are you even saying. Are you under the impression that being more social makes you less introverted? The way lifting weights makes your body stronger? It doesn't. It just makes you appear that way to ignorant people who still think being an introvert means you aren't very social. Being social is a skill you can practice. Being an introvert has nothing to do with that skill.
- unethical_ban 5y ago
  I'll take your assertion into consideration as I research the topic, I mean it. Yes, I for one believe socialization and introversion are correlated. I used to be more extroverted, and now I am not, and the timing correlates with some life experiences including the pandemic and WFH. I am not a king legislating that everyone think like me, but in my personal experience, to be introverted is to have anti-social tendencies, and that is something that is suboptimal, all other things being equal.
  - HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago
    Age may have something to do with it. I read (don't remember where) that around age 40 our personalities tend to change in that regard: introverts may become more extroverted and vice versa. Unfortunately, I can't remember what, if any, the explanation given was.
- HeyLaughingBoy 5y ago
  Trust me, I know what it means to be an introvert. I live deep in that particular forest! What I meant is that it is possible to reduce your level of introversion and actually enjoy being around people more and having it become less draining. In a way it's the reverse of what you said: becoming less introverted makes it easier to be more social. Yes, I've done it. No, I can't really explain to someone else what it was that I did.