So my mama just sent me an email and this is what it says:

[lirazel]

Psychology Today reports that "perceptual biases" lead us all to overestimate how many extroverts there are, because those extroverts can suck the air out of the room. In fact, over half of us are introverted, and that's an advantage in some respects:
Scientists now know that, while introverts have no special advantage in intelligence, they do seem to process more information than others in any given situation. To digest it, they do best in quiet environments, interacting one on one. Further, their brains are less dependent on external stimuli and rewards to feel good.

As a result, introverts are not driven to seek big hits of positive emotional arousal—they'd rather find meaning than bliss—making them relatively immune to the search for happiness that permeates contemporary American culture. In fact, the cultural emphasis on happiness may actually threaten their mental health. As American life becomes increasingly competitive and aggressive, to say nothing of blindingly fast, the pressures to produce on demand, be a team player, and make snap decisions cut introverts off from their inner power source, leaving them stressed and depleted. Introverts today face one overarching challenge—not to feel like misfits in their own culture.

HAHAHAHA MAMA HOW WELL YOU KNOW ME.

Comments

[gwtwscarlett.livejournal.com]

<33333333333333333

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

Interesting stuff. And, OMG, I love your icon!!!!!!

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

As a result, introverts are not driven to seek big hits of positive emotional arousal—they'd rather find meaning than bliss—making them relatively immune to the search for happiness that permeates contemporary American culture.

This is so true <333

[snickfic]

To the second part: so true. SO TRUE.

Somewhat related: a friend pointed out to me recently that one of the troubles with self-help books is that they are typically written by, you know, the sort of people who write (and presumably gain benefits from?) self-help books. Of which I am clearly not one. Sounds tautological, right? But possibly an explanation for how very unhelpful I often find self-help books. (It must be confessed, however, that my deep and abiding skepticism toward is probably also a factor.)

[eilowyn.livejournal.com]

All my mama sends me via email are chain letters!

Good stuff, all of it.

[green-maia.livejournal.com]

YES!!!!!!!

I love your icon!!!!!!!

[blackfrancine.livejournal.com]

Ooh! This is interesting. And it's strangely comforting that introverts outnumber extroverts. Like, if we band together, we can quietly take over the world. Mwahahaha.

[snickfic]

That is excellent.

[worldwasasong.livejournal.com]

SO TRUE. OH MY GOD. I just read this to my friend and we screeched over how true this is.

On another note, she and I were talking about how livejournal is often a place to whine. I started looking on my friendslist at all the people who just whine (and my own whininess) and being like, why do I do this and read this? Then I read your post and my friend was like, "HER you can keep on your friendslist." And I was like, Yeah, she's funny, and nice, and doesn't
whine but posts cool things like this." Then I felt better about livejournal in general and my friends-list specifically.

[ever-neutral.livejournal.com]

As a result, introverts are not driven to seek big hits of positive emotional arousal—they'd rather find meaning than bliss—making them relatively immune to the search for happiness that permeates contemporary American culture.

THIS. SENTENCE. IS MY WHOLE LIFE.

Whoa. There are more introverts than there are extroverts. Whoa. World blown.