"How, then, do we consolidate the assumed introversion of the early adopter with this tidal wave of online media sharing?"
Well, 2 be blunt in the nicest possible fashion, we *don't* have 2 consolidate introversion co-existing alongside soc_net adoption. Instead, let's get our noggins pumping + formulate a *new* category that adequately describes this new category of intro-extro-intra-socially-mediated peeps.
U 1st, Pete.....then I'll have a crack @ it;)
Tinu
· 1 year ago
Depends completely on the situation whether I'm introverted or extroverted, though I will admit that it was in my initial introverted stage that I became such an online party girl.
Offline, once I know the people I'm around, I'm quite extroverted, life of the party even. But when first meeting people I tend to blend in with the crowd, observing. And in an obnoxious crowd, or a tourist crowd, I'd rather just leave.
Great question and points. Incidentally every time I reply to a post it's because I saw a link go by from you on Twitter. :)
Paisano
· 1 year ago
What an astute observation. I've always struggled with shyness and introversy but always find ways to overcome it. Social media/networking has helped many wallflowers blossom and for that I am eternally grateful. Think of all the fantastic personalities we would've missed out on if it weren't for these tools that allowed them to express themselves in a comfortably way. Ironically, as you pointed out, the very same media that provided shelter eventually forces you outside into the real world to meetups and parties and meetings. It's a wonderful irony that technology can make us all so sociable.
fascinating. I seem to remember a similar wave of sentiment when txt msging blew up in the UK in 1999. All of a sudden, everyone could communicate "openly"... of course, behind the mask of 140 chars. the introverts could have a go at being extroverts... and feel none of the embarrassment / social stress associated with a "real world" interaction. I was looking for an old article in i-D magazine which talked about this, but all i could find was this Guardian re-print (see below) of an article that was in The Face (i-D's competitor at the time). It's not exactly on topic - it talks about how txting makes flirting easy for those who wouldn't normally do it - but there are definitely parallels to your call of "irony in social media". Basically, the introverts have an easy way to be "out there" - by hiding behind connected technology. http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2000/jun/...
Helen Mosher
· 1 year ago
I remember doing an utterz conversation with Jill Foster about this a couple of months ago. My take on it is that introversion and extroversion are a spectrum and on different days and at different points of our lives we may find ourselves in different places on that spectrum.
Take 10 years ago, when I had a nasty tendency to be so self-conscious of everything that came out of my mouth that I was nearly paralyzed with fear about interaction with people at all--but that's not extreme introversion, that's social anxiety disorder, which I have had at various points in my life secondary to idiots turning my life upside down.
But what was also true at the time was that being around people was very energy-draining, something that's still true to a certain point when I interact with people I don't know well in a crowded environment. And in that sense, I have introverted tendencies; in fact, prior to 2003 I consistently tested as an INFP on Kiersey Briggs profile tests.
But put me into a crowd where I know people (or where I can put on my superhero "I'm a journalist" cape) and I thrive on it, and that started happening more and more as I was able to get to know people online first. (Made dating easier, too, as I had a knack for shooting down perfectly decent people who'd try to pick me up offline.)
I consistently test as an ENFP now. But catch me in a crappy mood and I'm definitely more introverted. Sometimes I'll go from one to the other as the energy meter changes over the course of an evening, too. (Did I just say that like it was a video game? Grrr.)
So yeah. I'm a "both." Or perhaps I'm an all-of-the-above. Maybe I'm just a trovert.
Eban Crawford
· 1 year ago
I am definitely in the extrovert crowd. Almost to far over. When my wife introduces me to her co-workers and such, she uses the line about Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park, I suffer from an excess of personality.
This can get me into a bind quite often in the social media spaces. I can be a bit upfront at times and I put people off occasionally. A lot of folks on the socnets can at times wear their heart on their sleeves and take things not meant personally directly to heart.
This has actually led me to "act" a bit more introverted on the web than I like. Sort of a reverse of the situation in your post. Not to mean that I am not being genuine, I just meter my personality back quite a bit when interacting with certain people.
Still, in person and definitely in all of my media, I am who I am, and that is not shy at all.
A look at my Facebook proves the above point.
Cheers
PJ Brunet
· 1 year ago
Funny, I'm writing something similar w/ regard to "coworking". Alone, not alone, lonely, not lonely, introverted, extroverted, online, offline, it's a sensitive subject.
PJ Brunet
· 1 year ago
The word "introvert" is vague. It literally means to turn inward, assuming there's something inside you to find there. Who put it there?
Some people think they will find all the answers and fulfillment if only they can meditate deeply enough, looking for?
As far as the Internet goes, there's so much data without much depth, you can literally surf forever w/o thinking very hard about anything important.
Rebecca Quinn
· 1 year ago
@CoachDeb Fabulous tips! Thanks so much! Either I'm a total introvert or just obsessive about my writing because I carefully edit my tweets! Actually I'm somewhere in the middle - can go anywhere and talk to anybody...when I want to. I also love my space and privacy. I was more introverted when younger. Maybe we adapt over time.
Cali Lewis
· 1 year ago
I'm comfortably introverted. Introversion is my home base. Having a voice on the Internet has helped me discover a path toward extroversion. It's still a secondary part of my personality, not the one that feels most natural. I enjoy connecting with people through the Internet in a way that I've never enjoyed connecting the analog way.
It's kind of like...if I can build a digital foundation first, the analog aftermath starts to feel a little more comfortable than I would naturally expect.
Jake Lockley
· 1 year ago
Tireless self-promotors indeed.
brandyradey
· 1 year ago
oh god...i am an extrovert trapped inside an introvert..or is it the other way around? either way, these are some awesome perspectives. when i first signed on to twitter, i felt like i always had to say something meaningful. now that i've loosened up a bit and learned how to surpress my inner grammar-nazi, i'm enjoying it much more. that's my 2 cents. and p.s., mashable rocks.
Andrew Mager
· 1 year ago
I am definitely an introvert, I have researched it :)
I do love hanging with people though.
Ling
· 1 year ago
You could write a book on social skills needed to succeed and build a following on social media networks. This is a whole new ballgame compared to in=person meet-ups.
Anna for Lucid
· 1 year ago
I'm both. I can be very extroverted but at times I love my time alone and strike people as an introvert.
Adam Zand
· 1 year ago
IMNSHO, I don't see the point of social media if it's not "social" w. in-person gatherings (& I guess business meetings) at some point. Meeting people like Pete, Brett, Karen & the crazies & darlings of NYC/Boston/NH/Maine & a cast of thousands during Summer Mash Boston was big fun. Add to that my summer blur of BlogPotomac, PodCamp Boston, Social Media Camp, Social Media Club, GaryVee book in Boston, Tech Karaoke, Mzinga BBQs, Bryan Person bye breakfast, Scott Monty roast, WBUR Tweetup, Pulver Pizza & later Pulver beer, etc is the chance to meet people face-to-face & talk/network/drink/karoke/cuddle rather than just blog, qik, tweet, talk and stalk on Facebook ;). I respect the perspective of the introverts, but if you're a social media shut-in you'll never get to see me do "Borderline" Karaoke (no big loss for actually) or talk to the sharp dressed man of social media - Pete $ Cashmore
Chris Bennett
· 1 year ago
Im old school and prefer introducing in person, I always feel self aware and like everyone thinks I am only talking to them cause of a hidden agenda online. Offline totally comfortable and can carry out a convo with anyone.
Leslie Poston
· 1 year ago
Total ENTP extrovert here. :)
Nicole Simon
· 1 year ago
@coachdeb that definition of Extroverts vs Introverts is so spot on. ;))
I do not think that smart people (and we do have a lot of *very* smart people in this space) are comfortable with just lowering expectation all day long. Also they are sufficient enough to stay on their own and do not need that more simple kind of interaction.
It is just the label society gives. Feeling comfortable with throwing yourself at everybody, talk to everybody about everything on a broader level etc in opposite to being more picky is the label for extrovert if you like.
To this, your typical 'social media' person is introvert. Once we enter the Net, we suddenly find all kind of people who are alike. We get to know them from the inside out instead of starting the other way.
And then it gets really really interesting.
At least for myself I find that I thrive on connecting with people, which is one reason why I like to visit events. But not just any people - my kind of people. That is the difference.
GeekMommy
· 1 year ago
Hm. Now see, I classify myself as an introvert because I regain my energy by isolating. I recharge by going home, being alone, and being around others drains me. I classify extroverts as those who recharge by being around others - they draw their energy from those around them, and recharge in crowds rather than exhausting themselves.
By that definition, I'm introverted as is my husband - but our daughter is, unfortunately for her, an extrovert. Which makes it tricky when one or both parents is trying to run away to recover and she's pursuing us to do the same.
That said, I'm also extremely gregarious. I loathe crowds, but I do know how to channel that energy through myself so that I can be "social" longer.
Nicole Simon
· 1 year ago
@GeekMommy absolutly same here. it took me a while to realize why I was so fine in corporate time with being more on my own on the weekend - it was that I would recharge from the week. And I am fretting a bit my upcoming trip to the states for the expos in NY and Vegas - it will be awesome but I will need recharging time.
Recognizing your pattern makes it far more easy to adapt to it - I for example loath on site or after reporting of events, simply because my energy goes to different outlets during this time.
There is no right or wrong in it, just recognize your pattern and then work it. ;)
S!ick
· 1 year ago
At heart, an introvert.
I'm probably one of those "tears of a clown" type of people: at my core I'm shy (I don't remember ever asking anyone out on a date), but as long as I can remember I've "performed" (literature/stage, chorus/choir, band, radio/television).
Aaron Strout
· 1 year ago
Put me firmly in the extrovert camp on both fronts. One of the reasons I love Twitter, Facebook and Friendfeed is that they extend my networking capabilities (and I agree, meeting someone on Twitter and then augmenting it with a F2F is the best). What's great about these new tools is that I can be more scalable and move beyond local boundaries with these great new social tools. For instance, I haven't felt a drop off in my conversations with friends Scott Monty @scottmonty, John Johansen @jljohansen and now Bryan Person @bryanperson.
Long live social media!
Best, Aaron | @astrout
sbrown
· 1 year ago
Introverted does not mean shy, nor does extroverted mean un-shy. Instead, these are references to where one sources energy. Introverts get energy by being alone and lose it when with others. Extroverts get energy by being with others and lose it when alone.
I'm an un-shy introvert. I'm not shy. But I'd rather be alone.
S!ick
· 1 year ago
Oh...then, for sure: introvert. I don't lose it when with others, but there are times when it seems they can drain it from me. No one can motivate me more than I can myself...
dan light
· 1 year ago
i prefer 'closet extrovert'.
thom singer
· 1 year ago
This is one reason why I think that social media has become so popular. People are longing to connect with each other, but many of these people are introverts and are not comfortable reaching out in person.
Some mistakenly take solice in having a high number of "friends" in Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn. Even when some of these connections are nothing more than a digital link, it makes people feel they are not alone.
I am not knocking social media. I find it to be a very useful business and personal networking platform, and I have made several real friendships with those whom I have met through blogging, Twitter, etc.... Yet I wonder when people will begin to desire to thin the ranks of their online contacts and deliver their limited amounts of time to interacting with those who they can have a real two-way connection.
Following someone in a social media arena is not much different that watching TV. I like to follow the "online celebrities" in the social media communities, but I also know they often do not notice me. Much like the cast of LOST has no idea if I am in the living room seeing thier performance, when someone is following over 5000 people, they cannot see me.
Followers become like Neilson Ratings for some.
I think all types, introverts and extaverts (and those inbetween) benefit from social media, but we need to see it as the tool that it is...not an antidote for real person-to-person connections (be those in-person or online).
Who Cares
· 1 year ago
This is lame. Who the hell cares - write about something real.
Writing about A-listers is exactly why blogging is accused of being navel gazing.
refinch
· 1 year ago
I don't think that the introvert/extrovert dichotomy is all that useful for what you're trying to learn. I'd be much more interested to know the Myers-Briggs personality types of those at the forefront of this social media movement. Do they cluster around one or more types? What are the most prevalent commonalities? Which of the four couplets is least predictive? Does being an ENTP make me more or less similar in comportment to Scoble or Laporte?
Veronica
· 1 year ago
I've talked about this kind of thing with a lot of people... it's funny how many of us are secret (or not so secret) introverts. I don't enjoy being in crowded or busy places (not that too many people do...), and I used to suffer from pretty bad social anxiety. In some way, I think being online more has actually helped me. I've met a lot of people on Twitter or on other social networks who I've become friends with, and then upon meeting them in real life it's a lot easier to feel comfortable.
deusdiabolus
· 1 year ago
I definitely consider myself to be an introvert (to the point that sometimes people have to "threaten" to drag me from the house to attend events). I warm to the crowd once I 1.)start DJ-ing or 2.) have a couple of drinks. I guess some people DO have to have alcohol to relax. Dang.
AstraMatch
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the poll, interesting to note that there are a few combinations. I wrote a post on extrovert or introvert matches with others? Check it out http://tinyurl.com/6ggqmx Really the only time that the issue comes up is when we mix with others of like or not alike focus. Would appreciate hearing about your experiences, drop by & leave a comment. Pemo
Chris Cavs
· 1 year ago
This is fascinating. So many of us consider ourselves introverts (myself included), yet we do all this socializing. I'm intrigued by the implications this finding has on the way we as humans use communications tools as a way of subverting our mentally imposed barriers. Thanks for pointing this out.
Jennifer Leggio
· 1 year ago
It's mildly ironic. I think a lot of people assume that introverted = shy. Introversion really means you get your energy from within yourself, versus getting your energy from external elements (extroversion). So an introvert isn't necessarily shy -- it just means he or she draws energy from within versus relying on being around other people. Introverts can be just as gregarious as extroverts. They may just not rely on it as much for satisfaction.
At least that's what I learned in college psych. Then again that was a long time ago... heh
Simon Deane-Johns
· 1 year ago
The voting options are misleading ;-) You might be an introvert, an extrovert or neither, but not both. I suspect all the "both" voters are "neithers", like me - a "pragmavert".
GalaxySpectrum
· 1 year ago
We all have our dual personalities.
We are complex chameleons
deebee
· 4 months ago
Actually, most introverts I know hate social media as introverts they DETEST self promotion of any kind. Introverts value their privacy over anything else and social media is just a less threatening way to broadcast yourself. I think most of the so-called introverts who supposedl LOVE social media are just shy extraverts.
All Comments
Well, 2 be blunt in the nicest possible fashion, we *don't* have 2 consolidate introversion co-existing alongside soc_net adoption. Instead, let's get our noggins pumping + formulate a *new* category that adequately describes this new category of intro-extro-intra-socially-mediated peeps.
U 1st, Pete.....then I'll have a crack @ it;)
Offline, once I know the people I'm around, I'm quite extroverted, life of the party even. But when first meeting people I tend to blend in with the crowd, observing. And in an obnoxious crowd, or a tourist crowd, I'd rather just leave.
Great question and points. Incidentally every time I reply to a post it's because I saw a link go by from you on Twitter. :)
Good example is this MySpace member who was dragged kicking and screaming. Woody Allen. Thanks to Soon Yi, of course. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction...
Shy Pai
Take 10 years ago, when I had a nasty tendency to be so self-conscious of everything that came out of my mouth that I was nearly paralyzed with fear about interaction with people at all--but that's not extreme introversion, that's social anxiety disorder, which I have had at various points in my life secondary to idiots turning my life upside down.
But what was also true at the time was that being around people was very energy-draining, something that's still true to a certain point when I interact with people I don't know well in a crowded environment. And in that sense, I have introverted tendencies; in fact, prior to 2003 I consistently tested as an INFP on Kiersey Briggs profile tests.
But put me into a crowd where I know people (or where I can put on my superhero "I'm a journalist" cape) and I thrive on it, and that started happening more and more as I was able to get to know people online first. (Made dating easier, too, as I had a knack for shooting down perfectly decent people who'd try to pick me up offline.)
I consistently test as an ENFP now. But catch me in a crappy mood and I'm definitely more introverted. Sometimes I'll go from one to the other as the energy meter changes over the course of an evening, too. (Did I just say that like it was a video game? Grrr.)
So yeah. I'm a "both." Or perhaps I'm an all-of-the-above. Maybe I'm just a trovert.
This can get me into a bind quite often in the social media spaces. I can be a bit upfront at times and I put people off occasionally. A lot of folks on the socnets can at times wear their heart on their sleeves and take things not meant personally directly to heart.
This has actually led me to "act" a bit more introverted on the web than I like. Sort of a reverse of the situation in your post. Not to mean that I am not being genuine, I just meter my personality back quite a bit when interacting with certain people.
Still, in person and definitely in all of my media, I am who I am, and that is not shy at all.
A look at my Facebook proves the above point.
Cheers
Some people think they will find all the answers and fulfillment if only they can meditate deeply enough, looking for?
As far as the Internet goes, there's so much data without much depth, you can literally surf forever w/o thinking very hard about anything important.
It's kind of like...if I can build a digital foundation first, the analog aftermath starts to feel a little more comfortable than I would naturally expect.
I do love hanging with people though.
Meeting people like Pete, Brett, Karen & the crazies & darlings of NYC/Boston/NH/Maine & a cast of thousands during Summer Mash Boston was big fun. Add to that my summer blur of BlogPotomac, PodCamp Boston, Social Media Camp, Social Media Club, GaryVee book in Boston, Tech Karaoke, Mzinga BBQs, Bryan Person bye breakfast, Scott Monty roast, WBUR Tweetup, Pulver Pizza & later Pulver beer, etc is the chance to meet people face-to-face & talk/network/drink/karoke/cuddle rather than just blog, qik, tweet, talk and stalk on Facebook ;).
I respect the perspective of the introverts, but if you're a social media shut-in you'll never get to see me do "Borderline" Karaoke (no big loss for actually) or talk to the sharp dressed man of social media - Pete $ Cashmore
I do not think that smart people (and we do have a lot of *very* smart people in this space) are comfortable with just lowering expectation all day long. Also they are sufficient enough to stay on their own and do not need that more simple kind of interaction.
It is just the label society gives. Feeling comfortable with throwing yourself at everybody, talk to everybody about everything on a broader level etc in opposite to being more picky is the label for extrovert if you like.
To this, your typical 'social media' person is introvert. Once we enter the Net, we suddenly find all kind of people who are alike. We get to know them from the inside out instead of starting the other way.
And then it gets really really interesting.
At least for myself I find that I thrive on connecting with people, which is one reason why I like to visit events. But not just any people - my kind of people. That is the difference.
Now see, I classify myself as an introvert because I regain my energy by isolating. I recharge by going home, being alone, and being around others drains me.
I classify extroverts as those who recharge by being around others - they draw their energy from those around them, and recharge in crowds rather than exhausting themselves.
By that definition, I'm introverted as is my husband - but our daughter is, unfortunately for her, an extrovert. Which makes it tricky when one or both parents is trying to run away to recover and she's pursuing us to do the same.
That said, I'm also extremely gregarious. I loathe crowds, but I do know how to channel that energy through myself so that I can be "social" longer.
Recognizing your pattern makes it far more easy to adapt to it - I for example loath on site or after reporting of events, simply because my energy goes to different outlets during this time.
There is no right or wrong in it, just recognize your pattern and then work it. ;)
I'm probably one of those "tears of a clown" type of people: at my core I'm shy (I don't remember ever asking anyone out on a date), but as long as I can remember I've "performed" (literature/stage, chorus/choir, band, radio/television).
Long live social media!
Best,
Aaron | @astrout
I'm an un-shy introvert. I'm not shy. But I'd rather be alone.
Some mistakenly take solice in having a high number of "friends" in Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn. Even when some of these connections are nothing more than a digital link, it makes people feel they are not alone.
I am not knocking social media. I find it to be a very useful business and personal networking platform, and I have made several real friendships with those whom I have met through blogging, Twitter, etc.... Yet I wonder when people will begin to desire to thin the ranks of their online contacts and deliver their limited amounts of time to interacting with those who they can have a real two-way connection.
Following someone in a social media arena is not much different that watching TV. I like to follow the "online celebrities" in the social media communities, but I also know they often do not notice me. Much like the cast of LOST has no idea if I am in the living room seeing thier performance, when someone is following over 5000 people, they cannot see me.
Followers become like Neilson Ratings for some.
I think all types, introverts and extaverts (and those inbetween) benefit from social media, but we need to see it as the tool that it is...not an antidote for real person-to-person connections (be those in-person or online).
Writing about A-listers is exactly why blogging is accused of being navel gazing.
Really the only time that the issue comes up is when we mix with others of like or not alike focus. Would appreciate hearing about your experiences, drop by & leave a comment. Pemo
At least that's what I learned in college psych. Then again that was a long time ago... heh
We are complex chameleons
LOVE social media are just shy extraverts.