While most of what is said in Quiet about introverts and what makes them tick is not revolutionary, the implications made about how society views and treats introverts made me rethink the path our institutions take kids on. As Cain defines it, an introverted person feels most comfortable in low stimulation environments. Rather than enjoying a party with lots of people, an introvert would rather a deep conversation with one person. By contrast, an extrovert loves overstimulation, and is likely to be gregarious and upbeat. As American society has evolved, these types of people have become idealized. Ever since the advent of the salesman, these outward social skills have become necessary to move forward in the business world and other sectors. Interviewers look for these types of people, and companies and schools have begun to organize themselves for extroverts. Work in big groups has become emphasized more and more, while solitude has been degraded. Kids that don’t want this type of interaction in schools (introverts) are thought to be maladjusted or even depressed. This attitude has negative effects both for the community at large and for the introverted individual.
Firstly, the introverted person is being kept in a situation that is not suitably for succeeding. The more contemplative person has to expend all of his energy to interact with people in an outward manner, leaving little left for the work that is necessary. This is specifically true in our schools. A greater and greater emphasis has been put on group work. This can be very stressful for an introverted kid. They are forced to spend all day trying to “make friends”, when “making friends” really just, means outward relationships towards many classmates. This can sometimes be extremely hard, especially in big social situations like the lunchroom. In this way schools are built for extroverts, who are ½ to 2/3 of the population. However this is by no means the model that has always existed and is not the model that the Jewish tradition relays overall. Those that have great impact on the nation are primarily, but not limited to, those that were recluses beforehand. Moses, Jeremiah, Jacob all fit this introverted stereotype. While they certainly are able to lead and be great, they don't need to be fervently outgoing to do so. We learn in groups of two, where each partner is able to have a big voice in the conversation, rather than big groups.
This new groupthink is also a detriment to the companies that fully practice it. The lack of privacy will hurt the productivity of those that are introverted in nature. They will have less of say because they will not be able to put their word out. These people have much to contribute.
The applies evermore so at camps. Recently, I had a discussion about whether books should be allowed at camp. While, its true that we want to create a group, which singular activities can inhibit, to many kids, having these activities is a social necessity as much as having friends is to others. In many ways I don’t see how movies are all that different. However, a real, though separate, argument can be made for the inappropriateness of the movies, which is why they are banned from many camps. Even if we allow books, why is it even views negatively? Why do we have this culture that extroversion is idealized? By doing so, the culture as a whole will suffer by to some extent alienating 1/3 to ½ of the population.
I found most of Cain’s points illuminating and insightful. However, the book was largely comprised of stories that aren’t integral to the argument she (and I) am making. The argument can be found just as well in the Ted talk she gives HERE.
