Susan Cain on "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking"

As a born introvert who has learned to thrive in a world that values extroverts higher, this topic really resonated with me this morning. I have been thinking about this issue with more of a passive/aggressive or depressive/manic slant, but I sincerely thank Susan Cain for conducting her research and writing within a more appropriate, intellectually accurate and healthy framework. I'm looking forward to reading her book enscounced on my sofa with a cup of java in the quiet of my humble abode in Safety Harbor, FL (before the cacaphony that erupts in a few months across the Old Tampa Bay)... Thank you! --dpl

This so speaks to me in every way! Yay! Very affirming to the changes I have been making in my life for the last two years.

This topic is something I've wanted to paint on the moon since I was a kid. Even though, thanks to the U. S. Marine Corps, I've learned to be assertive, express myself, and work well with others, I'm a born introvert. And your little pop quiz seems to agree. I also don't think that anyone falls completely on one side or the other. It's often annoying and sometimes frustrating when other people feel a need to try to "get me out of my shell". I know that I'm not in a shell, but people who think differently tend to only listen to themselves. I'm not an antisocial hermit, but I often crave some distance between myself and the crush of humanity. Thanks to Susan Cain for writing this book, which I'll be picking up tomorrow afternoon.

Yup. Looking back on my life, there definitely has been instances where I've behaved in ways our extroverted society found perplexing. And I always was made to feel there was something wrong with me. But, nope. Time for a revolution. :)

I'm the introvert in a family of extroverts. It took me a very long time to realize I wasn't at fault. I smiled throughout the interview, home alone, happy, in my niche, listening to NPR while working on a sculpture project.

Too many interviews for an introvert person...

One of the joys of retiring from teaching after 33 years was not being required to attend inservice sessions where we almost always had group "activiites." We introverts have much to contribute to society . . . if we can be given time to think about a question without the interruption of others talking.

We were not so scientifically identified as "highly sensitive people". This book seems much more on point and I will order it. But the true agony of being an introvert, is that while one may be more comfortable alone, avoid crowds and loudness, one still has the human need to connect, be heard, be loved.

Thank you for defining introverts and extroverts so clearly. I am an extrovert by every category you listed, including difficulty empathizing with how it feels to be introverted. You have given me excellent insight.

I just listened today on KWMU (St. Louis) today and found this quite interesting. I was wondering if any research has been done on differences in the incidence of getting Alzheimer's between introverts and extroverts? With the research showing how important social interactions are as a preventative... seems there may be a correlation.

Thank you Jim Fleming and Ms. Cain and WPR for this
very interesting program. Having been an Introvert for
much of my life, I often even forgot that term. My parents
were a pair of Introverts and Extroverts which probably
affected me and my siblings.... Thanks again

Thank you so much for all your broadcasts. They have entertained me and more importantly helped me to understand myself.