are bloggers introverts?

February 25, 2003 in General | 12 comments

I think it is interesting that so many bloggers have been linking to this article in The Atlantic about Caring for your Introvert by Jonathan Rauch. I never really thought about it too much before. In fact, until I saw An Introvert’s Lexicon, I never really gave a whole lot of thought to how different introverts and extroverts really are — so different that we practically speak different languages.

As a strong ENTP, I often find myself misinterpreting the normal actions of introverts as cries for attention. It has always been hard for me to comprehend their constant need for space and silence. Until recently, I never really took the time to think about it enough to really try and understand what it means to be an introvert. Most of the time, I’ve found myself just dismissing it as “that person is weird.”

What I am wondering is should we take this incredible response by webloggers to this article in The Atlantic as a sign that many of them are indeed introverts? Are there so many introverted webloggers that they outweigh the introvert/extrovert ratio in the non-weblogging world? Or, are they extraverts like me who are just happy to be further-educated on the other half? Of those of you who run weblogs, do you consider yourselves introverts? What about the rest of you? Discuss.

  1. Michael’s avatar

    Michael on February 25, 2003 at 5:25 pm

    I am ENTJ. I think they nailed it…

    Thanks for the interesting link.

  2. Keith’s avatar

    Keith on February 25, 2003 at 6:14 pm

    Interesting. I’ve never been introduced to the term intorverts until this morning when Ethan
    commented on my post last night and provided me a link to the very article you are talking about here. Yeah many parts of the article is dead on, I’m an introvert.

    I guess for me, my weblog is a place where it is finally my turn to speak.

  3. Shaun’s avatar

    Shaun on February 25, 2003 at 11:38 pm

    I know for sure that I’m an introvert, and have known for a long time. Articles such as the one referred to here are always spot-on in describing my various tendancies.

    I’ve struggled with it but now I find myself working at a job where at least a few of my co-workers are also (in my estimation) introverted, and it’s quite a comfortable place to work. We all have our own comfort zones and needs for space and time.

    On further thought, perhaps I’m the most introverted one there… oh well. C’est la vie.

  4. Lukwam’s avatar

    Lukwam on February 26, 2003 at 12:04 am

    Michael, I took that Myers-Briggs test that you linked to, just to be sure I still was an ENTP. No doubt: 100 extroverted, 22 intuitive, 67 thinking and 11 perceiving.

  5. Shaun’s avatar

    Shaun on February 26, 2003 at 1:20 am

    Hmm… I don’t remember the rest of the numbers, but I took that test and I was 100 *introverted* …

    Anything you extrovert types want to know about us introvert types? :-)

  6. Lukwam’s avatar

    Lukwam on February 26, 2003 at 1:23 am

    Actually, I’m starting to feel like the only extrovert in a world of introverts. As I think of everyone I know, they’re all turning out to be I’s.

  7. Shaun’s avatar

    Shaun on February 26, 2003 at 1:30 am

    Well, it’s often the other way around… that’s interesting. Is “real life” dominated by extroverts, with “virtuality” being dominated by introverts?

  8. Keith’s avatar

    Keith on February 26, 2003 at 2:52 am

    Shaun I’d say yes to that, I guess “real life” is the environment most comfortable for extroverts. Being in front of a computer fits that of an introvert more, it’s time alone to work, to read, to think.

    BTW I took the test… 89 Introverted, 33 Intuitive, 33 Feeling, 22 Perceving.

  9. dad’s avatar

    dad on February 26, 2003 at 7:49 am

    I’m not so sure about that time at the computer. I spend that time, think (haven’t been tested lately) I’m an extrovert, but of course, have no weblog — so I’m not a statistic in your inquiry. But I gotta say, this stuff is fascinating. Would be interested in seeing more blogger responses.

  10. Lukwam’s avatar

    Lukwam on February 26, 2003 at 9:11 am

    Well, I think you fit into that whole “What about the rest of you?” part.

  11. Becky’s avatar

    Becky on February 27, 2003 at 3:15 pm

    well, took me a few days to get here, and my blog isn’t trackback enabled, but i just blogged a response to lukas’s comments. color me INFP. or INFJ… let the introverts arise!

    http://evandra.blogspot.com/2003_02_23_evandra_archive.html#89856576

  12. Jodie’s avatar

    Jodie on March 2, 2004 at 4:16 pm

    I am an INFP, a strong introverted personality type. My boyfriend is and ESTJ–the exact opposite of me. He could never understand why I needed to be alone after we would be at a party, or at a festival, or around a lot of stimulation. It is very mentally draining and taxing for an introverted person to be around a lot of noise, crowds, and bright lights for an extended period of time. We are just much easier stimulated than an extrovert. We are very analytical, perceptive, and aloof and take EVERYTHING in. We are not weird. In fact, we are the best actors, writers, scientists, and psychologists. Most actors are introverts, and they use their stage as their “escape.” When they go home, they unwind and go back to their introverted personality, i.e. David Letterman, Sharon Stone, Steven King, Julia Robets. It is hard to understand an introvert because we become drained by small talk, parties, meeting new people, etc. Whereas, an extrovert becomes charged on these types of events. It’s an orientation, not a choice.