Let's Define Extrovert: (referenced Encarta)
o - outgoing person: somebody who is sociable and self-confident
o - somebody with interest outside self: somebody whose interests are directed outside the self
Introvert:
o - reserved person: a shy person who tends not to socialize much
o - somebody focusing on own self: somebody whose feelings and thoughts are directed inward
o - turn inward: to direct or turn something inward or in on itself
Now let's analyze the definitions in a real-world sense, at least from my own skewed, limited pov.
1) Engineers and technical members:
At where I work, engineers and others who tend to be the backbone of all development process and problem solving are usually people who work in cubes and offices by themselves, staring at computer screens at least 75% of the time they are in the office. Not much interaction goes on, except technical discussions and occasional chit-chat. When a milestone project is completed, the team gets praised, and individual efforts are recognized. In essence, it is ultimately people managing non-people, and it's what "they are supposed to do" when they bring products line out using their technical know-how. They are the products themselves. Without the engineers, there is no product.
2) Sales/Managers/Businessmen/HR:
The other side of the spectrum are people who manage other people, or work with other human beings, relying on social skills, EQ, and other intra-personal skills to get things accomplished to a certain goal. For example, sales people get rewarded based on how many products they sell, and they sell products by being good with people. Most of the glamor news you would hear are from people who are able to drill down large transactions or bring in the big customers, and the person(s) get their names acknowledged, possibly with a huge bonus check. In essence, it is people manipulating other people, and it is "a great opportunity won" when they bring in customers. They are the faces of the company or organization, representing the product in its own respect. Whatever the products are is because of Engineers' work, and not because of the engineers.
From the comparisons, we can draw some conclusions that may not be accurate. However, there is a difference of how the world functions. For example, people refer to Google as Google, not Anthony Smith of the Software development company. The engineers get lost within the product that they put their hours in. In essence, introverts are somewhat deprived of their existence because they are of "reserved person: a shy person who tends not to socialize much".
In a world where society is driven by interactions and smarts, there are needs for both Intellects and social people. However, sometimes the introverts have labeled as the "nerds, geeks, weird ones, by himself/herself, off to his/her own world, having trouble socializing", while extroverts are labeled as "cool, hip, amicable, friendly, good with people, fun to talk to, able to sustain a conversation".
Ultimately, I may be wrong in this, but I feel like the world tends to glorify and praise people who are extroverts because they are able to present themselves much better, that they feed off people's energy and area more visible in this world. Think of a high school yearbook. Who do you remember and who do you notice the most when you're flipping through them? Do you have a better, deeper, more friendly impression of the Class or band president, or do you have a better impression of the president of Math Club? Or when you are hanging out with friends, and you think of inviting people, would you more likely to invite Jack, who is very chill, go with the flow, or would you rather invite Joe the Starcraft king who is rather quiet and unable to make you laugh with his wry sense of humor?
The question is... what is the advantage of being an Introvert, other than that they make good engineers, writers, and musicians? Are they only acknowledged for their works in society and not themselves? Will they constantly be seen as their profession and what they do? Or will they always be seen and judged as people who are not able to keep up with "the group" or not able to be on the same page as the trend and culture of this world?
Better yet, what are some disadvantages of being an Extrovert?
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